Children’s Problem Behaviors Trajectories of Poor- and Non Poor-Households on the Path to Learning Readiness and School Adjustment

Abstract

Using data from the Panel Study on Korean Children, this study investigated whether children with high levels of problem behaviors adjusted more poorly on the 1 st-grade than children with low levels of problem behaviors, and whether there was evidence of intra-individual stability in behavior problems over time. Data were analyzed by use of the Latent Growth Model and group differences analyses. Three findings were noteworthy. First, there was evidence of intra-individual and inter-individual variability in behavior problems between poor-and nonpoor household children. Second, children with higher initial levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors at 4 years had lower school readiness scores at 6 years. Finally, children with lower levels of school readiness at 6 years had lower school adjustment scores in 1 st grade. The results discuss implications for future research and policies for preschool children. With mediating effect of school readiness, developmental trajectories of child's problem behavior have been found to be predictors of delayed achievements in school. The results show that intervention programs are necessary for children with high levels of problem behavior. This study also showed that children who experienced poverty at home could have more difficulties in school readiness and school adjustment.