Family Facts: Social Science Research on Family, Society & Religion
Featured Finding
Maternal Sensitivity Contributes to Early School Success
September 11, 2006
| Key
Data: Children whose mothers had demonstrated greater sensitivity
with them from infancy until they entered school had fewer behavioral
problems and better developed social skills in the first grade
than peers who had less sensitive interactions with their mothers...(more) As first graders head to school this month, their success in school will involve more than just academic ability. It will also depend on social and behavioral competencies. Recent research has focused on factors that contribute to school-aged children’s social and behavioral development. A 2003 study by the National Institute of Child Heath and Human Development explored family influences, along with the effects of child care and classroom environment, on the early social functioning of first-grade students. Among the family variables, which included economic, demographic, and maternal characteristics, the study found the sensitivity that mothers showed toward their children during their first five years consistently had an impact. Specifically, first graders with more sensitive mothers exhibited, on average, fewer external problems and better social skills, as reported by the mothers and teachers, and appeared more self-reliant and engaged in the classroom. Maternal sensitivity, the researchers found, affected the children’s achievement and social skills prior to elementary school, as first graders’ social and behavioral outcomes mostly remained stable throughout first grade. These findings support what parents already know: parenting plays an important role in young children’s success in school. |
Other
findings on maternal care and child outcomes:
 Maternal sensitivity influenced young children’s socioemotional and behavioral development...(more) The quality of maternal care affected young children’s pre-academic, language, and social skills...(more) Family Research Experts:
Pat Fagan William H. G. FitzGerald Research Fellow in Family and Cultural Issues Christine Kim Policy Analyst, Domestic Policy Studies Jennifer Marshall Director, Domestic Policy Studies For Interviews call Media Relations at (202) 675-1761 |
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| The Heritage Foundation's familyfacts.org catalogs social science findings on the family, society and religion gleaned from peer-reviewed journals, books and government surveys. Serving policymakers, journalists, scholars and the general public, familyfacts.org makes social science research easily accessible to the non-specialist. | ||
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Events:Religious Practice and Civic Life: What the Research Says October 4, 2007 |