ERIC Number: EJ1288430
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: N/A
Bilingual Language Experience and Children's Social-Emotional and Behavioral Skills: A Cross-Sectional Study of Singapore Preschoolers
Sun, He; Yussof, Nurul Taqiah Binte; Mohamed, Malikka Begum Binte Habib; Rahim, Anisa Binte; Bull, Rebecca; Cheung, Mike W. L.; Cheong, Siew Ann
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v24 n3 p324-339 2021
The current study examines the relationship between bilingual children's dual language experience (i.e. language input, language output and vocabulary proficiency), and their social-emotional and behavioral skills. Data were analysed from 805 Singaporean bilingual preschoolers (ages 4; 1-5; 8 years), who are learning English and either Mandarin (n = 551), Malay (n = 105), or Tamil, (n = 149). A parent questionnaire and standardized vocabulary tests were used to assess children's bilingual language environment and vocabulary knowledge. Children's social-emotional and behavioral skills were evaluated by teachers using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. A series of variables which might influence social-emotional and behavioral skills (e.g. gender, non-verbal IQ, SES, and emotion recognition) were controlled and mixed-effects models were used to conduct data analysis. Results demonstrated that children who had larger bilingual receptive vocabulary and had frequently spoken both languages for a longer time had better social-emotional and behavioral skills. Gender and emotion recognition ability were also found to be significantly related to children's social-emotional and behavioral skills. Such findings held true for children across different Mother Tongue language backgrounds. This suggests that a good language environment for bilingual children should be promoted not only for the sake of their early language development, but also because of the potential benefits to their social-emotional and behavioral skills.
Descriptors: Kindergarten, Preschool Children, Bilingual Students, Social Development, Emotional Development, Correlation, Linguistic Input, Family Environment, Vocabulary Development, Language Acquisition, English, Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian Languages, Dravidian Languages, Native Language, Official Languages, Receptive Language, Gender Differences, Nonverbal Ability, Child Behavior, Questionnaires, Screening Tests, Intelligence Tests, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Singapore
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; Raven Progressive Matrices
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A