TitleRelations between early family risk, children's behavioral regulation, and academic achievement.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsSektnan, M, McClelland, MM, Acock, A, Morrison, FJ
JournalEarly childhood research quarterly
Volume25
Issue4
Pagination464-479
Date Published2010 Oct 1
Abstract
 

This study examined relations among early family risk, children's behavioral regulation at 54 months and kindergarten, and academic achievement in first grade using data on 1,298 children from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Family risk was indexed by ethnic minority status, low maternal education, low average family income from 1 - 54 months, and high maternal depressive symptoms from 1 - 54 months. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that minority status, low maternal education, and low family income had significant negative effects on reading, math, and vocabulary achievement in first grade. Modest indirect effects were also found from ethnicity, maternal education, and maternal depressive symptoms, through 54-month and kindergarten behavioral regulation to first-grade achievement. Discussion focuses on the importance of behavioral regulation for school success especially for children facing early risk.

DOI10.1016/j.ecresq.2010.02.005