Exploring the Age Sensitivity of Young Children's Social-Emotional Development Through Psychological Network Analysis

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Social-Emotional Development (Table 6)

Abstract

The period between ages 3 and 5 is crucial for children's social-emotional development. This study utilized the NSCH 3–5-year-old sample and employed Psychological Network Analysis to explore how age influences the network of the items used to measure social-emotional competencies in young children. By comparing the networks across three age groups and examining their centrality indices, the results reveal differences in the social-emotional development among 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, especially noting a significant difference between the 3- and 5-year-old groups and the 4- and 5-year-old groups. Notably, compared to ages 3 and 4, the interconnectedness and focus of social and emotional competencies evolve distinctly by age 5.These findings highlight the importance of age-appropriate approaches in early childhood education.

Authors

• Yuyan Xia, University of Kentucky

• Yaoying Xu, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Chin-Chih Chen, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Chi-Ning Chang, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Michael Broda, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Xun Liu, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Moe Debbagh Greene, Virginia Commonwealth University