FEATS Problem-Solving Scale in PPAT of children aged 5-6.5 as related to their executive functions and motivation

The present study analyzed whether scores on the FEATS Problem-Solving Scale (Gantt & Tabone, 1998) in PPAT drawings of 126 children ages 5-6.5 years old were related to executive functions (EFs) and motivation. In addition, the drawings were rated with an innovative scale, the Children's Picking Process Scale (CPPS), which focuses on how, in their drawings, children represent the person in the action of picking. The CPPS was found to be a reliable scale highly correlated with the FEATS problem solving scale. Validity was tested in regard to executive functions that were scored by the children's kindergarten teachers using the BRIEF (Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000); their motivation was rated by their parents using the Children's Motivation Scale - CMS (Gerring et al., 1996). Results indicate low significant correlations between the FEATS Problem-Solving Scale and the CPPS regarding two EFs: initiating, and planning and organizing. Interestingly, motivation was found to be correlated with the FEATS Problem-Solving Scale but not with the CPPS. Results are discussed in terms of the developmental perspective, expressions of EFs in PPAT, and clinical implications. Study limitations and future research are also discussed.