Mathematics at the Core: Longitudinal Network Analysis of Executive Functions and Academic Performance in Chinese Children

After excluding individuals who failed to complete all assessments, the final valid sample at time-point 1 (T1) comprised 863 students (436 boys, 427 girls) aged 9–13 years (M = 10.43, SD = 1.19). The grade-specific breakdown at T1 was as follows: grade 3: 282 students (148 boys, 134 girls), M = 9.21 years (SD = 0.52); grade 4: 293 students (145 boys, 148 girls), M = 10.33 years (SD = 0.63); grade 5: 288 students (143 boys, 145 girls), M = 11.74 years (SD = 0.64). Six months later at time-point 2 (T2), 788 participants were successfully retested (393 boys, 395 girls), M = 10.93 years (SD = 1.18).