%0 Journal Article
%T The development of self-regulation across early childhood
%J Developmental psychology
%D 2016
%A Montroy, Janelle J.
%A Bowles, Ryan P.
%A Skibbe, Lori E.
%A McClelland, Megan M.
%A Morrison, Frederick J.
%V 52
%N 11
%P 1744-1762
%X The development of early childhood self-regulation is often considered an early life marker for later life successes. Yet little longitudinal research has evaluated whether there are different trajectories of self-regulation development across children. This study investigates the development of behavioral self-regulation between the ages of 3 and 7 years, with a direct focus on possible heterogeneity in the developmental trajectories, and a set of potential indicators that distinguish unique behavioral self-regulation trajectories. Across 3 diverse samples, 1,386 children were assessed on behavioral self-regulation from preschool through first grade.
RESULTS indicated that majority of children develop self-regulation rapidly during early childhood, and that children follow 3 distinct developmental patterns of growth. These 3 trajectories were distinguishable based on timing of rapid gains, as well as child gender, early language skills, and maternal education levels.
FINDINGS highlight early developmental differences in how self-regulation unfolds, with implications for offering individualized support across children. (PsycINFO Database Record
(c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).
Language: en
%G en %I American Psychological Association %@ 0012-1649 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000159