Is Temperament Associated with Academic School Readiness in Children Born Very Preterm?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Is Temperament Associated with Academic School Readiness in Children Born Very Preterm?
Language: English
Authors: Leanne Tamm (ORCID 0000-0001-6066-1669), James L. Peugh (ORCID 0000-0002-1134-5667), Nehal A. Parikh (ORCID 0000-0002-1375-1247)
Source: Early Education and Development. 2025 36(2):447-459.
Availability: 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
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (DHHS/NIH)
Contract Number: R01NS094200
R01NS096037
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Personality Traits, School Readiness, Premature Infants, Correlation, Infants, Preschool Children, At Risk Persons, Infant Behavior, Toddlers, Individual Characteristics
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Rothbart Infant Behavior Questionnaire, Bracken Basic Concept Scale
DOI: 10.1080/10409289.2024.2404821
ISSN: 1040-9289
1556-6935
Abstract: Research Findings: Temperament, which can be assessed as early as 3 months, is associated with school readiness and later academic achievement in children born full term. Although children born preterm demonstrate a dysregulated temperament and are at significant risk for lower school readiness, we found no studies investigating whether early temperament is associated with school readiness in this at-risk population. Investigating whether temperament is a precursor of academic risk in preterm children can facilitate early identification and possible intervention efforts. We explored the association of negative affect, surgency, and regulation/effortful control temperament ratings collected at 3-months and 3-years corrected ages with school readiness at 3-years corrected age in children born very preterm. Participants included 297 children born very preterm (53.9% male). After controlling for key covariates, Positive Affectivity/Surgency ratings at 3-months were significantly associated with the Bracken Basic Concept Scale -- School Readiness composite score, and Effortful Control ratings at 3-years were associated with Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3) Functional Pre-Academics ratings. Practice or Policy: These findings may enhance the ability to identify premature children at risk for difficulties at school entry early.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1457407
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Research Findings: Temperament, which can be assessed as early as 3 months, is associated with school readiness and later academic achievement in children born full term. Although children born preterm demonstrate a dysregulated temperament and are at significant risk for lower school readiness, we found no studies investigating whether early temperament is associated with school readiness in this at-risk population. Investigating whether temperament is a precursor of academic risk in preterm children can facilitate early identification and possible intervention efforts. We explored the association of negative affect, surgency, and regulation/effortful control temperament ratings collected at 3-months and 3-years corrected ages with school readiness at 3-years corrected age in children born very preterm. Participants included 297 children born very preterm (53.9% male). After controlling for key covariates, Positive Affectivity/Surgency ratings at 3-months were significantly associated with the Bracken Basic Concept Scale -- School Readiness composite score, and Effortful Control ratings at 3-years were associated with Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3) Functional Pre-Academics ratings. Practice or Policy: These findings may enhance the ability to identify premature children at risk for difficulties at school entry early.
ISSN:1040-9289
1556-6935
DOI:10.1080/10409289.2024.2404821