Associations between maternal scaffolding and executive functioning in 3 and 4 year olds born very low birth weight and normal birth weight

•Maternal verbal scaffolding was associated with increased verbal IQ in VLBW group.•Normal birth weight group inhibition scores were related to more verbal scaffolding.•Verbal scaffolding was associated with maternal education level for VLBW boys.

BackgroundDeficits in executive function, including measures of working memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility, have been documented in preschoolers born very low birth weight (VLBW) compared with preschoolers born normal birth weight (NBW). Maternal verbal scaffolding has been associated with positive outcomes for both at-risk and typically developing preschoolers.AimsThe purpose of this study was to examine associations between maternal verbal scaffolding, Verbal IQ (VIQ) and executive function measures in preschoolers born VLBW.SubjectsA total of 64 VLBW and 40 NBW preschoolers ranging in age from 3 ½ to 4 years participated in the study.Outcome measuresVIQ was measured with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence — Third Edition. Executive function tests included the Bear Dragon, Gift Delay Peek, Reverse Categorization and Dimensional Change Card Sort-Separated Dimensions.Study designMaternal verbal scaffolding was coded during a videotaped play session. Associations between maternal verbal scaffolding and preschoolers' measures of VIQ and executive function were compared. Covariates included test age, maternal education, and gender.ResultsPreschoolers born VLBW performed significantly worse on VIQ and all executive function measures compared to those born NBW. Maternal verbal scaffolding was associated with VIQ for VLBW preschoolers and Gift Delay Peek for the NBW group. Girls born VLBW outperformed boys born VLBW on VIQ and Bear Dragon.ConclusionIntegrating scaffolding skills training as part of parent-focused intervention may be both feasible and valuable for early verbal reasoning and EF development.