Preschool Self-Regulation Research Articles

RETRACTION: H. Schmidt, M. Daseking, C. Gawrilow, J. Karbach, and J. Kerner auch Koerner, "Self-Regulation in Preschool: Are Executive Function and Effortful Control Overlapping Constructs?," Developmental Science 25, no. 6 (2022): e13272, https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13272.

RETRACTION: H. Schmidt, M. Daseking, C. Gawrilow, J. Karbach, and J. Kerner auch Koerner, "Self-Regulation in Preschool: Are Executive Function and Effortful Control Overlapping Constructs?," Developmental Science 25, no. 6 (2022): e13272, https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13272.

The Formation of Self-Regulation in Preschool Children with Disabilities with Through Body-Оriented Methods

The present study explored is devoted to the problem of self-regulation formation in preschoolers with general speech underdevelopment in pre-school settings. Under consideration the positive influence of body-oriented methods on the formation of self-regulation. The organization and implementation of an experimental study aimed at developing self-regulation in preschoolers with general speech underdevelopment using body-oriented methods is described. Based on the results of the experimental study, a number of key conclusions were made about the effectiveness of the correctional program: the children in the experimental group developed better skills in controlling their attention when completing tasks without reacting to external stimuli; they began to retain elements in their visual memory better.

Delay of Gratification in Preschoolers with Autism and Concerns for ADHD.

Self-regulation abilities in childhood are predictive of a range of challenges later in life, making it important to identify difficulties in this area as early as possible. Autistic children and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have difficulties with self-regulation, but little is known about the similarities and differences in such abilities across neurodevelopmental conditions. We examined self-regulation using a delay of gratification task in 36-month-old autistic children (n = 20), those showing clinically relevant concerns for ADHD (i.e. ADHD Concerns; n = 24), and Comparison children without these conditions (n = 130); early predictors of self-regulation were also assessed. Both the Autism and ADHD Concerns groups had greater difficulty waiting for a desired snack than the Comparison group. At the longest delay trial (30 seconds), a substantial percentage of autistic children (50%) and those with ADHD Concerns (35%) consumed the snack prematurely, in contrast to only 16% of the Comparison group. Parent-reported temperament-based impulsivity at 18 months and examiner-observed ADHD-like traits at 24 months were associated with increased self-regulation challenges at 36 months, regardless of group. Adjusting for verbal abilities attenuated some of these differences and associations, suggesting that language may be an important mechanism undergirding early self-regulatory abilities. Given possible links between preschool self-regulation and a range of critical functional outcomes, future studies may explore the efficacy of early interventions targeting impulsivity and regulatory behaviors in infants and toddlers at elevated likelihood for developing self-regulation challenges to potentially reduce the impact of these difficulties later in life.

The impact of children’s attentional behaviour and parent–child interaction on children’s self regulation skills

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the predictive role of parent–child interaction on children's self-regulation skills during the preschool period. The study was conducted on a sample consisting of 219 children aged 5–6 and their mothers, selected using convenience sampling method. In the research, mothers’ interactions with their children were evaluated using the Maternal Behavior Rating Scale, while children’s interactions with their mothers were assessed using the Child Behavior Rating Scale, and children’s self-regulation skills were evaluated based on performance using the Preschool Self-Regulation Assessment. The findings indicate that interaction elements predicting children’s self-regulation skills at a high and positive level include children’s attention, as well as mothers’ sensitive-responsive behaviors. The interaction element predicting self-regulation skills at a negative level is mothers’ focus on achievement and directive behaviour. In contrast, neither the children’s initiation of interaction nor the mothers’ emotional and expressive behaviors were significant predictors of the children’s self-regulation skills. The results were discussed in light of existing literature and suggestions for future research were provided.

Effects of Play-Based Sensory Interventions on Self-Regulation in Preschoolers With Developmental Conditions: A Systematic Review

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 Children with developmental conditions often struggle with self-regulation, which affects their participation in daily occupations. We will discuss the results of a systematic review of play-based sensory interventions to improve self-regulation. Primary Author and Speaker: Margaret Meeks Contributing Authors: Jewel Elias Crasta, Emily Sheridan

Fostering self-regulated learning in preschool through dynamic assessment methodologies.

Self-regulated learning is a transversal competency which plays a central role in acquiring autonomy. This investigation aimed to support approaches that foster self-regulated learning in preschool. We proposed to improve preschoolers' self-regulated learning strategies (i.e., forethought, performance, and self-reflection) through the educational intervention Pipo and Mia, the magic knights, hypothesizing different results when comparing levels of the program intervention. Participants included 115 preschoolers and their nine teachers. Teachers implemented the program to children, and engaged in professional training simultaneously. Aiming to validate the Dynamic Assessment of Self-regulation in Preschool (DASP) method socially, it was used as children's pre and post-measure, and focus groups were conducted with teachers to assess its validity. Results showed improvements in children's use of strategies, and some significant differences between intervention levels. Teachers highlighted the DASP method potentialities. The study's contributions and constraints are discussed considering implications for practice, research, theory, and policy.

Self-Regulation and Academic Learning in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Links to School Engagement and Levels of Autism Characteristics.

Children with autism spectrum disorder often demonstrate self-regulation challenges and academic difficulties. Although self-regulation has been well documented as an important factor for academic achievement in neurotypical children, little is known about how it is related to academic learning in autistic children, especially during preschool, a critical developmental period for both emergent academic skills and self-regulatory abilities. It is also unclear whether school engagement or autism characteristics influence the relation between self-regulation and academic learning in autistic children during preschool. Thirty-two autistic preschoolers participated in this study. Direct measures and parent reports were used to measure three dimensions of self-regulation, including executive function, effortful control, and emotion regulation. Classroom-based data from multiple academic programs were used to reflect their average rates of achieving new literacy and mathematics learning goals. Teachers reported the participants' levels of school engagement, and their autism characteristics were measured directly. Emotion regulation was significantly linked to the rate of meeting literacy learning goals in autistic preschoolers, whereas multiple executive function skills, including inhibitory and attentional control and working memory, were associated with their mathematics learning rate. Emotion regulation demonstrated a stronger association with literacy learning when autistic children were more engaged in classroom activities. Levels of autism characteristics did not mediate or moderate the association between self-regulation and academic learning. Future interventions and teaching should consider fostering self-regulation and facilitating school engagement for autistic preschoolers besides targeting their learning performance on specific academic content to promote their current and future academic success.

Self-Regulation in Children Attending Preschool Institutions That Implement Different Educational Approaches

In recent years, there has been a rise in preschools adopting alternative educational approaches due to increased interest. Researchers have focused on how these approaches affect children's development. This study compares self-regulation in Montessori Preschool and preschools implementing the Ministry of National Education curriculum using a casual comparative research model. The sample includes 140 children aged 48-72 months from Montessori, private, and state preschools. Data was collected with a Personal Information Form and Preschool Self-Regulation Assessment measuring attention, emotion, and behaviour regulation. Montessori students exhibited higher self-regulation and positive emotion regulation. Six-year-olds scored higher in attention/impulse control. Young parents' children had higher self-regulation levels. Overall, self-regulation in the study group was high. The study discusses these findings in the context of existing literature and offers practical recommendations for future research.

Effect of Parental Interest on the Self-Regulation Ability of Preschool Children

This study was conducted to examine the effect of parental attention on the self-regulation ability of children aged between 48 and66 months who have just started their preschool education. For this purpose, an example of a training program to improve parental interest was prepared for the parents of the children participating in the study. The study group consisted of 40 children who attended an independent kindergarten affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Nilüfer District of Bursa Province in the 2019–2020 academic year and their mothers (40) and fathers (40), totaling 120 people. The “Parental Interest Scale for Children” and the “Preschool Self-Regulation Scale (OÖDÖ)” have been used as data collection tools. In addition, the “General Information Form” was used to obtain information from the participants. The obtained data were analyzed with ’Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)’26 package program. In light of the findings; it was seen that parental attention has an effect on the self-regulation ability of children aged between 48 and66 months who have just started their preschool education, and this positively observed effect is due to an increase in parental interest. As a result, when the correlation test analyzes between parental interest scores and self-regulation skill scores are considered. Parental interest has a positive effect on the self-regulation skills of 48-66-month-old boys and girls who have just started preschool education. Training aimed at improving parental interest is effective in achieving this.

Çocuğun Öz-Düzenleme Gelişimi: Okul Öncesi Eğitim Süresi ve Öğretmenlerin Öz-Düzenleme Düzeyi Bağlamında İncelenmesi

This study was conducted to examine the self-regulation of teachers working in preschool education institutions, their practices to support self-regulated learning, and the relationship between preschool education status and children's self-regulation skills. The sample of this study, in which the relational survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used, consisted of 316 teachers and 213 children working in primary school preschool classes and independent kindergartens affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Mersin province. The demographic information of the participants was collected through the Demographic Information Form prepared by the researcher. Teachers' self-regulation was assessed with the "Self-Regulation Scale", while the practices they used to support self-regulated learning were assessed with the "Scale for Evaluating Preschool Teachers' Practices to Support Self-Regulated Learning" (SC-SRLS). Children's self-regulation skills were assessed with the "Preschool Self-Regulation Scale" (PSRS), which requires face-to-face practice with each child. As a result of the study, it was found that children's self-regulation skills differed significantly in favor of children older than 68 months. In addition, it was determined that children's self-regulation and emotion regulation differed in favor of girls according to gender. In the study, the self-regulation skills of children with more than one year of preschool education were significantly higher than those of children with less preschool education. As a result of the study, it was determined that there was a positive and significant relationship between teachers' self-regulation and classroom practices to support self-regulated learning. In addition, there was a positive and significant relationship between teachers' self-regulation and the practices they used to support self-regulated learning and children's self-regulation skills.

Executive Function and Narrative Language Abilities in Emergent Bilingual Preschoolers: An Exploratory Study.

In light of the importance of preschool oral narrative skills as precursors to literacy, this exploratory study examined expressive language skills among emergent bilingual Latine preschoolers using a naturalistic personal narrative task. To understand the factors that support language use in the personal narrative context for this population, we examined the contribution of children's executive function (EF) skills to their narrative language abilities. Children completed two subtests from the Preschool Self-Regulation Assessment to measure EF and produced two personal narratives in response to conversational prompts. A series of linear regressions were used to evaluate the relation between children's EF skills and their narrative production ability, narrative organization, and expressive language skills derived from automated analyses of narrative samples. EF was found to predict children's ability to produce a personal narrative but not the language skills children demonstrated in these narratives. The current findings suggest that EF is implicated in emergent bilingual Latine children's narrative abilities. At the preschool age, the contribution of EF to narrative language production is apparent in the global task of producing a narrative, rather than in the organizational or linguistic features of the narrative. As such, supporting both EF and narrative skills might be an important means of facilitating preliteracy among bilingual children.

Protocol for a cluster randomized clinical trial of a mastery-climate motor skills intervention, Children's Health Activity and Motor Program (CHAMP), on self-regulation in preschoolers.

Self-regulation (SR) is critical to healthy development in children, and intervention approaches (i.e., professional training, classroom-based curricula, parent-focused intervention) have shown to support or enhance SR. However, to our knowledge, none have tested whether changes in children's SR across an intervention relate to changes in children's health behavior and outcomes. This study, the Promoting Activity and Trajectories of Health (PATH) for Children-SR Study uses a cluster-randomized control trial to examine the immediate effects of a mastery-climate motor skills intervention on SR. Secondly, this study examines the associations between changes in SR and changes in children's health behaviors (i.e., motor competence, physical activity, and perceived competence) and outcomes (i.e., body mass index and waist circumference) (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT03189862). The PATH-SR study will be a cluster-randomized clinical trial. A total of 120 children between the ages of 3.5 to 5 years of age will be randomized to a mastery-climate motor skills intervention (n = 70) or control (n = 50) condition. SR will be assessed using measures that evaluate cognitive SR (cognitive flexibility and working memory), behavioral SR (behavioral inhibition), and emotional SR (emotional regulation). Health behaviors will be assessed with motor skills, physical activity, and perceived competence (motor and physical) and health outcomes will be waist circumference and body mass index. SR, health behaviors, and health outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention (pre-test and post-test). Given the randomization design, 70 children in the intervention group and 50 in the control group, we have 80% power to detect an effect size of 0.52, at a Type I error level of 0.05. With the data collected, we will test the intervention effect on SR with a two-sample t-test comparing the intervention group and the control group. We will further evaluate the associations between changes in SR and changes in children's health behaviors and health outcomes, using mixed effect regression models, with a random effect to account for within-subject correlations. The PATH-SR study addresses gaps in pediatric exercise science and child development research. Findings hold the potential to help shape public health and educational policies and interventions that support healthy development during the early years. Ethical approval for this study was obtained through the Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board, University of Michigan (HUM00133319). The PATH-SR study is funded by the National Institutes of Health Common Fund. Findings will be disseminated via print, online media, dissemination events and practitioner and/or research journals. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT03189862.

The impact of the pre-school self-regulation program on the self-regulation, problem behavior and social skills of children

The purpose of the research is the development of the Preschool Self-Regulation Program and the examination of the effect of the program on children's self-regulation skills, problem behaviors and social skills. The research designed in the embedded design; the quantitative dimension is quasi-experimental design with pre-test post-test control group, and the qualitative dimension is basic qualitative research. Working group consists of 52 children, 26 of whom are in the experimental group, 26 of which are in the control group, and two teachers in the experimental group. Quantitative data were analyzed by MANOVA and t-test for dependent samples, and qualitative data were analyzed by deduction method. In the study, a program consisting of 21 sessions, 7 weeks and 3 days a week, was applied in the experimental group. In the results of the research; while there was a significant difference in the pre-test post-test scores of the experimental and control groups in self-regulation skills and social skills, there was a significant difference in problem behaviors only in the experimental group. There was a significant difference in favor of the experimental group in the post-test scores of self-regulation skills, social skills and problem behaviors. When the qualitative findings of the study were examined, it was concluded that while there was an increase in self-regulation and social skills, there was a decrease in problem behaviors.

Adaption and implementation of the engage programme within the early childhood curriculum

Poor self-regulation has been associated with an array of adverse outcomes including difficulties with school transition, educational attainment, and social functioning in childhood, and employment, mental health, physical health, relationships, and criminal activity in adulthood. Enhancing Neurobehavioural Gains with the Aid of Games and Exercises (ENGAGE) is a play-based intervention fostering the development of self-regulation in pre-schoolers and has led to improvements within the home setting. The aim for this study was to ascertain whether ENGAGE can be implemented within an Early Childhood Education (ECE) group setting and whether this leads to improved self-regulation. This trial has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); trial number ACTRN12622000364774; trial web address: https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12622000364774.aspx. 668 children aged 3–5 years and their teachers, across 28 ECEs participated. Children’s self-regulation skills were assessed via scores on the Hyperactivity, Aggression, and Attention Problems subscales of BASC-2. Results indicted no significant changes in self-regulation skills across a 10-week waitlist period. Following 10 weeks of the ENGAGE programme, significant improvements in self-regulation were reported, and these were maintained at 2- and 6-month follow-up. These findings indicate that ENGAGE translates well into the ECE setting and has the potential to have population-based impacts which could lead to more positive societal outcomes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of associations between self-regulation and morality in preschool and elementary school children

The importance of self-regulatory skills for the socio-emotional competencies of children is being researched and discussed extensively. However, in order to make a clear statement about the impact of self-regulation on children’s morality, a systematic review of the literature is urgently needed. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to analyze associations between self-regulation and morality of preschool and elementary school children. In this context, distinctions among different definitions and operationalizations of self-regulation and morality are considered. Search terms were entered in the bibliographic databases PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. To meet the inclusion criterion, studies needed to report empirical associations between self-regulation and morality in children of preschool and elementary school age. Furthermore, the studies should report primary data and be published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. Studies with secondary or summarized data, special populations or with certain designs were excluded. A total of 37 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. 35 of these studies were included in the meta-analysis. The narrative synthesis showed that different definitions and operationalizations were used for both self-regulation and morality. There also seems to be no consensus regarding the association between the constructs. Meta-analysis results revealed a small positive combined effect between self-regulation and morality, especially between temperament-related self-regulation and moral behavior and moral emotions. In order to gain a better understanding of the effects of self-regulation on morality, longitudinal research and further research addressing different forms of these constructs are essential.

The relationship between Turkish preschool children’s delay of gratification and self-regulation skills

In the early childhood period, self-regulation and delay of gratification are important skills. The lack of these skills may have a negative impact on children’s development and learning. In this study, the relationship between pre-school children’s delay of gratification and self-regulation skills was examined. Fifty-seven preschool children from Ankara, the capital of Turkey, aged between four and five, participated in this study. Delay of gratification was measured with Marshmallow Test, whereas self-regulation skills were assessed with Preschool Self-Regulation Assessment. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the variables that predict the delay of gratification. The results indicated that self-regulation, particularly in terms of impulse control and effortful control, affects the delay of gratification, and that gender is not a determining factor in the delay of gratification. Besides, children’s success, particularly in impulse control and effortful control, was found to increase the delay of gratification. Identifying children with extreme difficulty in the delay of gratification may help to detect those with poor self-regulation skills. Accordingly, various tasks could be designed to improve self-regulation skills in early childhood, and potential problems regarding delay of gratification and self-regulation could be minimized. This is likely to have a positive impact on society as a whole.

Self-regulation in preschool: Are executive function and effortful control overlapping constructs?

The concepts of executive function (EF) and effortful control (EC) are strikingly similar. EF originate from neurocognitive research and are described as an accumulation of cognitive processes that serve the goal-oriented self-regulation (SR) of an individual. EC originates from temperament research and is defined as the efficiency of executive attention, including the ability to inhibit a dominant response, to activate a subdominant response, to proceed in a planned manner and to recognize conflicts or errors. The aim of this article was to examine the association between the constructs of EF and EC at the preschool-age. Eighty-eight children (49 female; M-age=3.93 years, SD=.78) were tested with a computerized battery designed to assess EF at 3-6 years of age (EF Touch). Children's parents completed questionnaires assessing EF impairments (BRIEF-P) and EC (CBQ). Associations between the constructs and their conceptual overlap were analyzed using correlations and confirmatory factor analyses. We found significant correlations between EF and EC measures. A one-factor confirmatory model fitted the data very well and indicated that EF and EC are indeed overlapping and highly similar constructs. Therefore, our results show that measures of EC and EF have substantial overlap in preschoolers and suggest an integrated model of self-regulation.

The impact of begin to ECSEL on children’s self-regulation, executive functions and learning

ABSTRACT Research has shown that the first few years of a child’s life are critical for developing executive functioning and emotional regulatory skills. This study aimed to evaluate how begin to ECSEL (Emotional, Cognitive and Social Early Learning), an intervention designed to promote young children’s emotional competence, influenced children’s self-regulation and executive functions. The study collected data from 94 children, aged 2–6 years old, through behavioral testing and compared them to a matched group of children who had not been exposed to the begin to ECSEL programme. Children’s self-regulation and executive functioning skills were assessed using four specific tasks from the Preschool Self-Regulation Assessment: balance beam, pencil tap, snack delay and toy wrap. Results demonstrated that children who were enrolled in the begin to ECSEL programme performed significantly better than the comparison group, suggesting significantly better self-regulation and executive function skills as a result of the begin to ECSEL intervention.

Parent and Teacher Perceptions of the Parent–Teacher Relationship and Child Self-regulation in Preschool: Variations by Child Race

Parent and Teacher Perceptions of the Parent–Teacher Relationship and Child Self-regulation in Preschool: Variations by Child Race

Exploring the Associations among Chinese Kindergartners between Academic Achievement and Behavioral, Cognitive and Emotional Self-Regulation

ABSTRACT Research Findings: Self-regulation is an important determinant of children’s developmental outcomes, but little research has explored its different facets simultaneously. This study aims to explore a sample of Chinese children’s behavioral, cognitive and emotional self-regulation characteristics by examining their gender and age differences, associations with academic outcomes and the moderating effects of age and gender on these associations. Results show that girls outperformed boys in behavioral and emotional self-regulation and K2 children failed to show any advantages on behavioral and emotional self-regulation compared with K1 children. All facets of self-regulation associated with children’s numeracy and literacy scores, while emotional self-regulation’s contribution was negative; neither age nor gender moderated these associations. Practice & Policy: The study considers Chinese children’s characteristics of self-regulation in terms of gender and age differences in the context of the broader literature. This study supports the contention that self-regulation may consist of different facets. Findings from this study also show the significance of self-regulation in preschoolers’ academic outcomes and the complex nature of these facets when they function on academic achievement.