An investigation of classroom situational dimensions of emotional and behavioral adjustment and cognitive and social outcomes for Head Start children.
This study used a developmental-ecological approach to investigate the relationship across the school year between early problems in preschool classroom situations and a comprehensive set of readiness competencies for urban low-income children. Study 1 identified 3 reliable and unique underlying classroom situational dimensions where behavior problems occurred: structured learning, peer interaction, and teacher interaction situations. Boys and younger children evidenced more problematic behavior across all situations. Study 2 investigated the relationship between early problems in the situations and readiness outcomes. Early situational difficulties uniquely and differentially predicted lower peer social and classroom learning outcomes. In combination, both the type of behavior problem (what) and the situational problem (where) explained greater variance in the prediction of readiness outcomes, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of developmental trajectories.
Bulotsky-Shearer
Rebecca J
RJ
The Herr Research Center for Children and Social Policy, Erikson Institute, 420 North Wabash, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. rshearer@erikson.edu
Fantuzzo
John W
JW
McDermott
Paul A
PA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010379:Peer Group; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D012951:Socialization; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population