Implications of Social Competence among Thirty-Month-Old Toddlers: A Theory of Mind Perspective

Emiko Tanaka,Aya Kutsuki,Amarsanaa Gan-Yadam,Tokie Anme,Lian Tong,Ryoji Shinohara,Yuri Kawashima,Taeko Watanabe,Yuko Yato,Etsuko Tomisaki,Yukiko Mochizuki,Noriko Yamakawa,Maki Hirano,Shoji Itakura,Tamiko Ogura,Yuka Sugisawa,Misa Kuroki,Kentaro Morita,Yoshihiko Onda

doi:10.2188/jea.je20090173

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the relations between children’s social competence and initial index of theory of mind at 30 months of age.MethodsThe participants of the study were 322 toddlers and parents/caregivers who were registered with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) project. They completed a five-minute interaction session, which was coded using the Interaction Rating Scale (IRS) as an evidence-based practical index of children’s social competence. In addition, the children were asked to complete a diverse-desire task as a ToM (theory of mind) index.ResultsThe results showed that the ToM index was related to the total score and subscales of the IRS, such as Empathy and Emotional regulation.ConclusionsThese findings show that the IRS score was related to ToM task performance at 30 months of age.

Highlights

In recent years, the problematic behaviors of school-age children and adolescents, such as bullying, violence, and impulsiveness, are becoming a serious problem in Japan
Participants The participants of the study were 322 dyads of children and their caregivers, who participated in the JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) project
This study provides new findings about early social development

Summary

Introduction

The problematic behaviors of school-age children and adolescents, such as bullying, violence, and impulsiveness, are becoming a serious problem in Japan. The purpose of this study was to examine the relations between children’s social competence and initial index of theory of mind at 30 months of age. Methods: The participants of the study were 322 toddlers and parents/caregivers who were registered with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) project. They completed a five-minute interaction session, which was coded using the Interaction Rating Scale (IRS) as an evidence-based practical index of children’s social competence. Conclusions: These findings show that the IRS score was related to ToM task performance at 30 months of age

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