Final answer:
Preschoolers develop executive function tasks like inhibiting impulses, shifting attention, and planning but not complex problem-solving. This higher level of cognitive function develops later in childhood as the prefrontal cortex matures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Executive function tasks that preschoolers develop include abilities such as inhibiting impulses, shifting attention, and planning and organizing. However, complex problem-solving is generally not fully developed in preschoolers, as it involves a higher level of cognitive function that continues to expand during the middle and late childhood years, typically around ages 6-11. At this more advanced stage, children's thought processes become more logical and organized, enabling them to deal with complex ideas and longer attention spans allow for more sophisticated problem-solving.
The prefrontal cortex, which plays a vital role in executive functions, continues to develop throughout childhood into early adulthood. This part of the brain is responsible for the higher cognitive activities such as working memory and focusing attention towards goals, thus inhibiting distractions. During the preschool years, while some executive functions are beginning to emerge, the capacity for complex problem-solving continues to mature as the child grows older.