Expressive language and prosocial behaviour in early childhood: Longitudinal associations in the UK Millennium Cohort Study

Lisa-Christine? Girard, Jean-Baptiste Pingault, Orla Doyle, Bruno Falissard and Richard Ernest Tremblay

Open Access publications from School of Economics, University College Dublin

Abstract: Background: Early childhood is a crucial period for language development and building social skills. While distinct, these two processes may impact upon each other. Aims: The current study aimed to identify the directional associations between expressive language ability and prosocial behaviour between three and five years of age. Methods: Participants included 14, 004 children and their families enrolled in the UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). Children’s expressive language and prosocial behaviour were assessed at three and five years of age utilizing standardized assessments and parent reports. Cross-lagged models were used for data analysis. Results: Better expressive language at three years was associated with increased prosocial behaviour by five years. No support for the inverse direction of association was found. Conclusions: Children’s early ability to effectively express themselves with others may help in building better social relationships by entry into formal schooling. Programming efforts that are tailored towards enhancing positive behavioural growth and social skills in the toddler years are likely to be effective when expressive language is also a targeted component of the toddler’s skill development.

Keywords: Prosocial behaviour; Expressive language ability; Millennium Cohort Study; Early childhood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 18 pages
Date: 2016-07
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Published in: European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 14(4) 2016-07-29

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http://hdl.handle.net/10197/8057 Open Access version, 2016 (application/pdf)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ucn:oapubs:10197/8057

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