Family Routines as a Predictor of Kindergarten School Readiness

• In Event: Kindergarten Readiness

Abstract

Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort, we investigated whether there are long-term benefits of preschool routines on kindergarten school readiness (i.e., behavioral, cognitive, and health outcomes). Analyses revealed that routines do matter for child outcomes. Children in families that reported higher levels of routines at preschool exhibited lower levels of parent and teacher reported conduct problems and hyperactivity, and higher levels of prosocial behaviors at kindergarten. Similarly, children in families that reported higher levels of routines at preschool demonstrated higher reading and math abilities, had lower BMIs and higher parent reported child health scores at kindergarten. These findings suggest that there may be long-term benefits of early family routines for children’s adjustment to kindergarten.

Authors

• Larissa Katlin Ferretti, Auburn University

• Kristen L. Bub, Auburn University