November 7, 2002
150 preschoolers sought for study exploring link between self-control, pretend play
University of Washington researchers exploring how preschool-age children develop self-control and possible links to the way youngsters use pretend play are looking for 150 Puget Sound 3- and 4-year-olds to participate in a new study.
“We know self-control is a major developmental milestone for children to succeed in school and in social interactions,” said Stephanie Carlson, UW assistant professor of psychology, who is heading the study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. “Most parents will say self-control is a big problem with preschoolers. Children need to learn to cooperate with each other, to follow up on what they are doing and to delay self-gratification.”
Participation in the study involves two visits, a week apart, to the UW’s Seattle campus. Each visit will last one hour. Children will participate in a number of self-control and pretend games and a verbal test at each session. Children will be paid $10 for each session and will be given a T-shirt and a small toy. Parking expenses also will be reimbursed.
To be eligible for the study, children must be developing typically without known handicap or developmental delay.
Carlson is investigating skills that help children develop self-control. This study is designed to explore whether there is a developmental relationship between self-control and pretend play skills, and to understand pretend play can help children develop and improve their self-control skills. Young children commonly engage in pretend play and about one-third have imaginary companions. Earlier work by Carlson has found that children who are fantasy prone have a better ability to delay self-gratification.
Parents who have questions or would like to register their children as subjects should contact Angela Davis, a UW doctoral student who is coordinating the study, at (206) 543-2314 or acd2@u.washington.edu.
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For more information, contact Carlson at (206) 543-5688 or carlsons@u.washington.edu
