Table 3 Secondary outcome measures—children’s WM, attention and language skills
Outcome measured | Skill | Standardised assessment |
|---|---|---|
Trained task | Trained WM tasks | Automated Working Memory Assessment (AWMA) [46] • A computerised assessment administered using a laptop. The children simply listen to automated instructions and provide a verbal or pointing response that is recorded by the facilitator. • 2 subtests administered in all 6 schools (n = 60 children): - Listening recall - Odd one out |
Trained task | Phoneme awareness | Preschool and Primary Inventory of Phonological Awareness (PIPA) [47] • A standardised assessment consisting of 6 subtests for children aged 3 to 6 years 11 months • 2 subtests trialled: - Phoneme isolation subtest (administered in 5 schools, n = 50 children) - Phoneme segmentation subtest (administered in 1 school, n = 10 children) |
Near-transfer | Untrained WM tasks | Automated Working Memory Assessment (detailed above) [46] • 4 further subtests administered in all 6 schools (n = 60 children): - Digit recall - Block recall - Counting recall - Non-word recall |
Far-transfer | Attention | A Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY-II) [48] • Includes standardised performance-based measures of attention for children under 6 years • 2 subtests administered in all 6 schools (n = 60 children) - Auditory attention - Statue |
Language | The New Reynell Developmental Language Scales (NRDLS) [49] • A standardised assessment for children aged between 3 and 7 years 6 months. • Comprehension scale administered in 5 schools (n = 50 children) Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals—Preschool (CELF-P) [50] • A standardised assessment for 3–6 year olds that examines children’s: understanding and use of syntax (grammar/sentence structure), semantics (word meanings) and grammatical morphology (markers of grammatical relationships • Core language subtests (n = 10) conducted in 1 school (n = 10) | |
Behaviour in the classroom | Behaviour Rating Scale of Executive-Function—Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) [51] (n = 60) • A standardised, validated scale completed by teachers • Includes consisting of 63 items that can be used with children from 2 to 5 years 11 months to measure behavioural characteristics associated with executive function skills including WM • Completed by teachers in all 6 schools (n = 60 children) | |
Communication skills at home | Focus on Communication Outcomes Under Six–34 (FOCUS-34) [52] (n = 60) • A checklist of children’s communication skills at home completed by parents to measure change over time • Completed by parents in all 6 schools (n = 60 children) |