Learning Behaviors Mediate Associations between Parent-reported Peer Play Skills and Literacy and Mathematics Skills for Low-income Preschool Children

Research Findings: Peer play interactions are important contexts for supporting early learning both at home and at school for preschool children from low-income backgrounds. The current study used structural equation modeling to examine whether teacher-reported learning behaviors in the classroom mediated the relationship between parent-reported peer play skills in the home and direct assessments of language, literacy, and mathematics skills in a diverse sample of 680 Head Start preschoolers across 53 classrooms. Disconnected and disruptive play skills in the home were negatively associated with learning behaviors and language/literacy and mathematics skills. Additionally, learning behaviors mediated the relationship between disruptive play skills in the home and academic skills. Practice or Policy: Implications for strengthening parent teacher partnerships and program-wide interventions are discussed.