The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of mother's language control upon young children's self-control and social ability, thus verifying the importance of language patterns of mothers who carrying out most interactions with young chil...
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of mother's language control upon young children's self-control and social ability, thus verifying the importance of language patterns of mothers who carrying out most interactions with young children at home and the significance of mother's roles within family relations.
For this, following study questions were established:
1. 'What is the influence of mother's language control upon young children's self-control?'
2. 'What is the influence of mother's language control upon young children's social ability?'
For this, a questionnaire survey of 323 mothers (of 160 young boys and 163 young girls in their 3, 4, and 5 years of age) and class teachers at 8 kindergartens in Seoul was carried out. The questionnaire for mother's language control was worked out by study subject mothers and the questionnaire for the young children's self-control and social ability was worked out by class teachers. As for the study tool of testing the language control, the investigator used the tool developed by Do Hye-suk (1997) and modified and supplemented by Seo Gi-nam (2009). For the test of young children's self-control, the tool developed by Lee Jeong-ran (2003) and modified by Lee Hak-seon (2007) was used. For the test of young children's social ability, the tool developed by Song Na-ri (1992) and modified and supplemented by Lim Jeong-ran (2002) was used.
Data were analyzed with the SPSSWIN 12.0 program. In order to verify the reliability of study tools, the Cronbach's alpha of internal consistency was calculated. In order to examine the relationship between mother's language control and young children's self-control and social ability, correlation analysis was carried out. In order to examine the influence of mother's language control upon young children's self-control and social ability, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was carried out.
Study findings are as follows:
First, mother's language control had influence upon young children's self-control (F=13.047, p<.001). When mother's language control was command-oriented and position-oriented, young children's self-control was lower. On the other hand, when mother's language control was humanity-oriented, young children's self-control was higher. In other words, mother's positive language control increases young children's self-control.
Second, mother's language control had influence upon young children's social ability (F=7.799, p<.001). When mother's language control was highly command-oriented and position-oriented, young children's social ability was lower. On the other hand, when mother's language control was highly humanity-oriented, young children's social ability was higher.
Third, as for the influence of mother's language control upon young children's self-control and social ability, mother's language control had more influence upon young children's self-control (total score 17.1%) than their social ability (total score 11.0%).
Fourth, it is necessary to educate parents to support mother's positive use pattern of language.
Fifth, it is necessary to develop an activity that can improve family relations or a program that can provide practical help.
Study findings show the fact that upon interacting with young children it is desirable to use humanity-oriented language control. In addition, this study confirms the fact that the influence of mother's correct use of language upon young children's self-control and social ability is significant. In this vein, this study reminds of us the fact that in the scene of young child education and at home, the language-oriented interaction of young children's main carer persons, such as mothers, teachers and grandparents, is very important.