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Expressive language and prosocial behaviour in early childhood: Longitudinal associations in the UK Millennium Cohort Study |
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| Authors: | Lisa-Christine Girard Jean-Baptiste Pingault Orla Doyle Bruno Falissard Richard E. Tremblay |
| Affiliation: | 1. Research Unit on Children’s Psychosocial Maladjustment (GRIP), Université de Montreal, Montréal, Canada;2. Paris-Sud Innovation Group in Adolescent Mental Health, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1178), Paris, France;3. Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK;4. School of Economics, Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland;5. Paris-Sud Innovation Group in Adolescent Mental Health, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1178), Paris, France;6. Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France;7. Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France;8. Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, Université de Montreal, Montréal, Canada;9. School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland |
| 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. 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 |