Research on Childhood Self-Control

• The marshmallow test, first conducted in the 1960s, is a classic demonstration of childhood self-control or not. See the video here.
• Research using New Zealand’s largest longitudinal study of child development has identified key behaviors to support pre-school children to develop self-control, a key indicator of adult wellbeing. They include:
  • Reading books and telling stories to children
  • Implementing rules around screen time
  • Supportive parent-child interactions
• Children whose fathers make time to physically play with them from a very young age find it easier to control their behavior and emotions as they grow up, according to research.
• Among low-socioeconomic status youth, self-control forecasted better psychosocial outcomes, including less depression, substance use, and aggression, according to research.
• Positive behavioral ratings at 5 and 6 years of age were associated with positive employments ratings 3 decades later, according to research.
• Adverse childhood experiences are associated with lower self-control in teenagers, especially when those experiences are related to maltreatment, according to research.