Delaying gratification is a key self-regulation skill and one that has been linked to future success. A new study finds that interventions to promote self-regulation in early childhood can have lasting effects on children’s educational outcomes.
The study, published in the journal Psychological Science, followed a group of low-income children who participated in a self-regulation intervention program in preschool. The program, called Tools of the Mind, is designed to help children develop skills such as planning, paying attention, and controlling their emotions.
The researchers found that the children who participated in the intervention program were more likely to go on to graduate from high school and enroll in college, compared to a similar group of children who did not participate in the program.
“Our study provides strong evidence that investing in early self-regulation skills can pay off in terms of educational attainment,” said study author Adriana Galvan, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The findings suggest that self-regulation interventions may be especially beneficial for children from low-income backgrounds. Previous research has shown that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to struggle with self-regulation, and they often have lower educational attainment.
“Our study provides one potential explanation for the ‘achievement gap’ between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds,” Galvan said.
The findings suggest that self-regulation skills are important for educational success, and that interventions to promote these skills can have long-term benefits.
Early self-regulation has been shown to be a powerful predictor of children’s later academic success. A new study has found that the benefits of self-regulation extend well into adulthood, and that early self-regulation is a particularly strong predictor of educational attainment.
The study, which was published in the journal Developmental Psychology, followed a group of children from kindergarten through to adulthood. The researchers found that those who exhibited higher levels of self-regulation in kindergarten were more likely to complete high school and attend college. They also had higher-paying jobs and were more likely to report higher levels of overall life satisfaction.
The findings suggest that interventions to promote self-regulation in early childhood could have long-lasting benefits. And while previous research has shown that self-regulation can be improved through training, the new study suggests that even small interventions in the early years could have a big impact down the road.
So what exactly is self-regulation? It refers to the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s a skill that develops over time, and one that is essential for success in school and in life.
The new study highlights the importance of promoting self-regulation in early childhood. And while the benefits extend well into adulthood, the earlier self-regulation is promoted, the better. So if you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver of young children, don’t forget the power of promoting self-regulation. It could make all the difference in the world.
