Maternal Scaffolding of Children's Problem Solving and Children's Adjustment in Kindergarten: Hmong Families in the United States
Author(s):
Stright, Anne Dopkins; Herr, Maysee Yang; Neitzel, Carin
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Journal Of Educational Psychology, Volume 101, Issue 1 (2/1/2009). pp. 207-218.
Language:
English
Abstract:
The study examined relations between maternal scaffolding of children's problem solving and children's adjustment in kindergarten in Hmong families living in the United States. Mothers and their children (63 dyads) were visited the summer before kindergarten. Mothers' years in the United States, age, education, reasoning skills, and parenting beliefs were assessed. Maternal scaffolding (cognitive support, directiveness of instruction, praise, and criticism) was coded while mothers helped their children with school-like tasks. Children's reasoning skills, conscientiousness, autonomous behavior, and task persistence in kindergarten were reported by teachers at the end of kindergarten (54 children). Maternal cognitive support of children's problem solving predicted children's reasoning skills in kindergarten even after controlling for maternal education and reasoning skills. Maternal directive instruction positively predicted children's conscientious behavior and negatively predicted children's autonomous behaviors after controlling for maternal education and parenting beliefs. (Contains 3 tables.)