A Study of Reciprocal Associations Between Positive Parenting Behaviors and Children’s Cognitive Abilities in Early Childhood

• In Event: Family Partnerships and Impacts on Young Children’s Learning

Abstract

The present study explored the reciprocal associations between positive parenting behaviors and children’s cognitive abilities during early childhood, using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey – Birth Cohort (ECLS-B). Also, the effects of positive parenting behaviors and children’s cognitive abilities on pre-academic achievements at prekindergarten were longitudinally investigated. The data were collected from 3,300 children and their parents who participated in three data waves (approximately 9, 24, and 48 months). The results indicated that children with parents who adjust their behaviors at the pace of the children’s cognitive abilities enabled to obtain higher cognitive outcome. Positive parenting behaviors uniquely contributed to children’s cognitive development in early childhood. Similarly, children’s cognitive ability was associated with later parenting behaviors.

Authors

• Young-Hee Park, Dong-A University

• Ithel Jones, Florida State University