Links between Behavioural Self-Regulation, Gross Motor Coordination and Social-Emotional Skills in Preschoolers

Abstract

Recent studies have emphasized the importance of children’s ability to control their behaviours, thoughts, and emotions. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between behavioural self-regulation, motor coordination and social-emotional competencies in Romanian preschool children. We assessed 120 preschoolers using measures of behavioural self-regulation, gross motor coordination, and social-emotional competencies. Results revealed that there are no significant relations between behavioural self-regulation and gross motor coordination, nor between behavioural self-regulation and social-emotional skills. Interestingly, no gender differences emerged in terms of behavioural self-regulation, gross motor coordination, and social competencies. The only gender-related difference was found concerning emotional competencies, with girls outperforming boys. Further studies should investigate longitudinally the relations among these constructs, and also in relations with other factors, such as the preschool setting, the socio-economic status, and children’s academic achievement.