Promoting Self-Regulation in Young Children: The Role of Parenting Interventions

Abstract

Self-regulation is a foundational skill in childhood and underpins various positive and negative outcomes throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Parents and the way they parent their children play a key role in the development of young children’s self-regulatory capacity. However, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of parenting interventions on child self-regulatory outcomes. This paper provides an overview of the role of parenting in the development of child self-regulation and a summary of the evidence base for parenting interventions to promote self-regulation in children under age eight, focusing on infancy, the toddler/preschooler period, and early school-age. We conclude by examining the gaps in this field of research and providing directions for future research.