title: Associations between toddler-age communication and kindergarten-age self-regulatory skills.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the authors aimed at gaining understanding on the associations of different types of early language and communication profiles with later self-regulation skills by using longitudinal data from toddler age to kindergarten age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with early language profiles representing expressive delay, broad delay (i.e., expressive, social, and/or symbolic), and typical language development were compared in domains of kindergarten-age executive and regulative skills (attentional/executive functions, regulation of emotions and behavioral activity, and social skills) assessed with parental questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with delay in toddler-age language development demonstrated poorer kindergarten-age self-regulation skills than children with typical early language development. Broad early language delays were associated with compromised social skills and attentional/executive functions, and early expressive delays were associated with a generally lower level of kindergarten-age executive and regulative skills. Regression analyses showed that both earlier and concurrent language had an effect especially on the attentional/executive functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that different aspects of toddler-age language have differential associations with later self-regulation. Possible mechanisms linking early language development to later self-regulative development are discussed.
authors.forename: Tuija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aro
authors.forename: Marja-Leena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Laakso
authors.forename: Sira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Määttä
authors.forename: Asko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tolvanen
authors.forename: Anna-Maija
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Poikkeus
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002663:Child Language; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012044:Regression Analysis; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires