TitleThe Influence of Demographic Risk Factors on Children's Behavioral Regulation in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsWanless, SB, McClelland, MM, Tominey, SL, Acock, A
JournalEarly Education & Development
Volume22
Issue3
Pagination461 - 488
Date Published05/2011
Abstract
 

The present study examined the role of demographic risk factors in the development of children's behavioral regulation. We investigated whether being from a low-income family and being an English language learner (ELL) predicted behavioral regulation between prekindergarten and kindergarten. Results indicated that children from low-income families began prekindergarten with significantly lower behavioral regulation than their more economically advantaged peers. Furthermore, English-speaking children from low-income families exhibited a faster rate of behavioral regulation growth than low-income ELLs. English-speaking children from low-income families narrowed the gap with their more economically advantaged English-speaking peers by the end of kindergarten, but ELLs from low-income families did not. Practice or Policy: Discussion focuses on the importance of understanding the effects of being an ELL and being from a low-income family for the demands of formal schooling.

DOI10.1080/10409289.2011.536132