Emotions at Preschool Age: Contributions to Better Social and School Adaptation

Abstract

Emotions have been triggering investigative interest for a long time due to the effect they have on people's lives and there is a growing importance in the educational field in the school context. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between perception, expression and appreciation of emotions and social adjustment of preschool children. For this purpose we used the documentary research based on four empirical works, carried out in Portugal (n = 2) and Spain (n = 2) between 2011 and 2016, resulting from the application of the “Percexval” test to assess the ability to understand, express and value emotions of preschool children (children aged 3 - 6 years). The correct answers given by the children were confronted with the criteria of the external judges constituted by their kindergarten teachers. Results suggest significant and positive associations between perception of primary emotions and adaptation (2), control (3) peer acceptance (2) and negative with conflict; and significant and positive associations between perception and appreciation of primary emotions and adaptation (4), control (4), academic achievement (4), peer acceptance (2), and negatives with conflict. It is concluded that the promotion of early emotional education contributes to enhance the psychosocial adaptation of individuals.