Psychological factors affecting the adaptation of preschool children to the social environment: The role of family and kindergarten environments

https://doi.org/10.35912/psychohealth.v1i2.3554
Published: Oct 13, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This study aims to identify the key psychological factors that influence preschool children’s adaptation to their social environment. Special emphasis is placed on the role of family and kindergarten settings in shaping personality development, emotional balance, and communication skills.

Research methodology: The research employs a qualitative-descriptive approach, synthesizing existing psychological and pedagogical literature, along with practical observations from early childhood education contexts. Data sources include theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, and case-based insights from family and preschool environments.

Results: The findings reveal that parenting style, parental emotional support, and consistent attention are critical for children’s emotional stability and self-confidence. Likewise, pedagogical practices in kindergarten, peer relationships, and interaction with educators play a significant role in strengthening communication skills and encouraging social activity. These combined factors create a supportive environment that enables smoother adaptation to new social conditions.

Conclusions: Successful adaptation in early childhood relies on the synergy between family involvement and educational settings. The alignment of parenting practices and pedagogical approaches provides a foundation for personality growth, social competence, and emotional resilience in children.

Limitations: The study is limited by its reliance on secondary sources and lacks longitudinal data to measure adaptation outcomes over time across diverse cultural settings.

Contribution: This research provides practical recommendations for preschool educators and psychologists to design strategies that enhance children’s adaptation, thereby improving early childhood education quality and long-term social development.

Keywords:
1. Adaptation
2. Child Psychology
3. Family
4. Kindergarten
5. Social Environment
Authors:
Nazаrova Dilnoza O‘razalievna
Bukhara State University, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
View PDF
How to Cite
O‘razalievna, N. D. . (2025). Psychological factors affecting the adaptation of preschool children to the social environment: The role of family and kindergarten environments. Psychohealth: Scientific Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 1(2), 93–104. https://doi.org/10.35912/psychohealth.v1i2.3554
Download Citation
  1. Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
  2. BibTeX

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Issue & Section
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): May
Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

References

    Allen, K.-A., Berger, E., McLean, L., Leif, E., Warton, W., Tuck, D., . . . Fleer, M. (2025). Belonging in their words: Exploring early childhood perspectives using the draw, write, tell method. Australian Journal of Psychology, 77(1), 2463949. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2025.2463949

    Awiszus, A., Koenig, M., & Vaisarova, J. (2022). Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Child Development and Outcomes. Journal of Student Research, 11. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v11i3.3679

    Bandura, A., & Walters, R. H. (1977). Social learning theory (Vol. 1): Prentice hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    Baumrind, D. (2013). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Adolescents and Their Families (pp. 22-61): Routledge.

    Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design (Vol. 352): Harvard university press.

    Budiarti, E., & Adar, S. (2023). Impact of Digital Media on Social-Emotional Development in Early Childhood: A Case Study at TK Kartika XX-46 Kendari. Golden Age: Jurnal Ilmiah Tumbuh Kembang Anak Usia Dini, 8, 89-98. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.14421/jga.2023.82-04

    Chu, C., Paatsch, L., Kervin, L., & Edwards, S. (2024). Digital play in the early years: A systematic review. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 40, 100652. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2024.100652

    Disney, L., & Geng, G. (2022). Investigating Young Children's Social Interactions During Digital Play. Early Child Educ J, 50(8), 1449-1459. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-021-01275-1

    Garcia Peinado, R. (2024). The impact of classroom climate on emotional development in childhood. Environment and Social Psychology, 9. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.54517/esp.v9i1.1868

    Halimah, L., Margaretha, S. Y., & Mirawati, M. (2020). Teacher-Parent Partnership on Early Childhood Education Curriculum Development.

    Jin, J. (2023). The Impact of Parenting Styles on Children's Social Adjustment and Development. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 22, 867-872. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v22i.14554

    Khisbulloh, W., & Yudoko, G. (2024). OEE improvement through reducing start up duration using lean Six Sigma methodology in manufacturing. Global Academy of Business Studies, 1(1), 37-53. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gabs.v1i1.3382

    Kirk, G., & Jay, J. (2018). Supporting Kindergarten Children’s Social and Emotional Development: Examining the Synergetic Role of Environments, Play, and Relationships. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 32(4), 472-485. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2018.1495671

    Ladd, G. W., & Price, J. M. (1987). Predicting children's social and school adjustment following the transition from preschool to kindergarten. Child Dev, 1168-1189. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/1130613

    Lee, Y.-E. (2023). Bioecological profiles of preschool children’s individual, familial, and educational characteristics, and their relations with school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function in first grade. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1185098. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1185098

    Lestari, S., Artisa, R. A., Nurliawati, N., & Maulana, R. R. (2025). Evaluation of the Affordable Food Program in Bandung City Using the CIPP Model. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 5(1), 85-100. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v5i1.5197

    Liu, Q. (2025). The influence of culture on play-based pedagogy implementation in Northeast China’s kindergartens. International Journal of Educational Research, 133, 102718. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2025.102718

    McCoy, D. C., Yoshikawa, H., Ziol-Guest, K. M., Duncan, G. J., Schindler, H. S., Magnuson, K., . . . Shonkoff, J. P. (2017). Impacts of Early Childhood Education on Medium- and Long-Term Educational Outcomes. Educ Res, 46(8), 474-487. doi:https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X17737739

    Mortazavizadeh, Z., Göllner, L., & Forstmeier, S. (2022). Emotional competence, attachment, and parenting styles in children and parents. Psicol Reflex Crit, 35(1), 6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-022-00208-0

    Musa, M. M. (2023). Adinugraha Thought: Textual and Contextual Approaches in Understanding Islamic Studies to Deal with Life Problems. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 2(2), 93-99. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v2i2.1685

    Norheim, H., & Moser, T. (2020). Barriers and facilitators for partnerships between parents with immigrant backgrounds and professionals in ECEC: a review based on empirical research. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 28(6), 789-805. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2020.1836582

    O’Reilly, F., U. Gattas, S., & Scerif, G. (2025). Improving executive function during toddlerhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of parent-led interventions. Developmental Review, 76, 101198. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2025.101198

    Pelawi, M. A., & Asbi, E. A. (2025). Psychosocial Adjustment of Breast Cancer Patients Post-Treatment Therapy and Mentoring. (Case Study of 4 Breast Cancer Patients in Sapkandara Community Medan). Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(3), 157-166. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v1i3.3479

    Pianta, R., & Kraft-Sayre, M. (2003). Successful kindergarten transition. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

    Riwukore, J. R., Marnisah, L., Fellyanus Habaora, F. H., & Yustini, T. (2022). Implementation of One Indonesian Data by the Central Statistics Agency of East Nusa Tenggara Province. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 1(2), 117-128. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v1i2.1194

    Salma, S. R. (2023). Media Power and the Rule of Law in the Rise of New Despotism: Lesson Learned from Indonesia, China, Russia, and Iran. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 2(2), 113-129. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v2i2.1890

    Sapariati, A., Widnyani, I. A. P. S., & Dewi, N. D. U. (2025). Normative Analysis Of Maternity Leave Policy Implementation For Women Workers’ Rights In Bali. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 5(1), 33-42. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v5i1.3817

    Song, Y., Malhotra, S., Broekhuizen, M., Wang, Y., Chen, B.-B., & Dubas, J. S. (2021). Prosocial Behavior in Young Preschoolers: A Cross-Cultural Study across The Netherlands, India, and China. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 182(3), 129-148. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00221325.2021.1891857

    Tompkins, V. (2015). Improving Low-Income Preschoolers' Theory of Mind: A Training Study. Cogn Dev, 36, 1-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2015.07.001

    Turdiev, B. (2024). The Priority Of Human Interests In Uzbekistan’s Ideospheric Development. ????????????? ??????? ??????????? ?????????????? ????, 3(15), 120-123. doi:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13369668

    Turdiev, B. S. (2024). Balancing national and universal perspectives: the dialectical dynamics in society’s ideosphere. Asian Journal of Basic Science & Research, 6(3), 59-65. doi:http://doi.org/10.38177/AJBSR.2024.6307

    Vasiou, A., Kassis, W., Krasanaki, A., Aksoy, D., Favre, C. A., & Tantaros, S. (2023). Exploring Parenting Styles Patterns and Children's Socio-Emotional Skills. Children (Basel), 10(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071126

    Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge: MA: Harvard University Press.

    Yakubjanovna, S. N. (2025). Methods of developing the physical qualities of general secondary school students. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic and Practice Studies, 3(3), 967-978. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jomaps.v3i3.3500

    Zhang, H., & Hong, X. (2021). Family process and young children’s social adaptation: conditional process analyses across child-care experiences. Early Child Development and Care, 192. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2021.1990909

    Zhang, H., Jiang, L., & Hong, X. (2022). Family process and young children’s social adaptation: conditional process analyses across child-care experiences. Early Child Development and Care, 192(14), 2185-2199. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2021.1990909

    Zhu, X., Dou, D., & Karatzias, T. (2024). Editorial: Parental influence on child social and emotional functioning. Front Psychol, 15, 1392772. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392772

  1. Allen, K.-A., Berger, E., McLean, L., Leif, E., Warton, W., Tuck, D., . . . Fleer, M. (2025). Belonging in their words: Exploring early childhood perspectives using the draw, write, tell method. Australian Journal of Psychology, 77(1), 2463949. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2025.2463949
  2. Awiszus, A., Koenig, M., & Vaisarova, J. (2022). Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Child Development and Outcomes. Journal of Student Research, 11. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v11i3.3679
  3. Bandura, A., & Walters, R. H. (1977). Social learning theory (Vol. 1): Prentice hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
  4. Baumrind, D. (2013). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Adolescents and Their Families (pp. 22-61): Routledge.
  5. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design (Vol. 352): Harvard university press.
  6. Budiarti, E., & Adar, S. (2023). Impact of Digital Media on Social-Emotional Development in Early Childhood: A Case Study at TK Kartika XX-46 Kendari. Golden Age: Jurnal Ilmiah Tumbuh Kembang Anak Usia Dini, 8, 89-98. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.14421/jga.2023.82-04
  7. Chu, C., Paatsch, L., Kervin, L., & Edwards, S. (2024). Digital play in the early years: A systematic review. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 40, 100652. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2024.100652
  8. Disney, L., & Geng, G. (2022). Investigating Young Children's Social Interactions During Digital Play. Early Child Educ J, 50(8), 1449-1459. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-021-01275-1
  9. Garcia Peinado, R. (2024). The impact of classroom climate on emotional development in childhood. Environment and Social Psychology, 9. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.54517/esp.v9i1.1868
  10. Halimah, L., Margaretha, S. Y., & Mirawati, M. (2020). Teacher-Parent Partnership on Early Childhood Education Curriculum Development.
  11. Jin, J. (2023). The Impact of Parenting Styles on Children's Social Adjustment and Development. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 22, 867-872. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v22i.14554
  12. Khisbulloh, W., & Yudoko, G. (2024). OEE improvement through reducing start up duration using lean Six Sigma methodology in manufacturing. Global Academy of Business Studies, 1(1), 37-53. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gabs.v1i1.3382
  13. Kirk, G., & Jay, J. (2018). Supporting Kindergarten Children’s Social and Emotional Development: Examining the Synergetic Role of Environments, Play, and Relationships. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 32(4), 472-485. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2018.1495671
  14. Ladd, G. W., & Price, J. M. (1987). Predicting children's social and school adjustment following the transition from preschool to kindergarten. Child Dev, 1168-1189. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/1130613
  15. Lee, Y.-E. (2023). Bioecological profiles of preschool children’s individual, familial, and educational characteristics, and their relations with school adjustment, academic performance, and executive function in first grade. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1185098. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1185098
  16. Lestari, S., Artisa, R. A., Nurliawati, N., & Maulana, R. R. (2025). Evaluation of the Affordable Food Program in Bandung City Using the CIPP Model. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 5(1), 85-100. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v5i1.5197
  17. Liu, Q. (2025). The influence of culture on play-based pedagogy implementation in Northeast China’s kindergartens. International Journal of Educational Research, 133, 102718. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2025.102718
  18. McCoy, D. C., Yoshikawa, H., Ziol-Guest, K. M., Duncan, G. J., Schindler, H. S., Magnuson, K., . . . Shonkoff, J. P. (2017). Impacts of Early Childhood Education on Medium- and Long-Term Educational Outcomes. Educ Res, 46(8), 474-487. doi:https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X17737739
  19. Mortazavizadeh, Z., Göllner, L., & Forstmeier, S. (2022). Emotional competence, attachment, and parenting styles in children and parents. Psicol Reflex Crit, 35(1), 6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-022-00208-0
  20. Musa, M. M. (2023). Adinugraha Thought: Textual and Contextual Approaches in Understanding Islamic Studies to Deal with Life Problems. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 2(2), 93-99. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v2i2.1685
  21. Norheim, H., & Moser, T. (2020). Barriers and facilitators for partnerships between parents with immigrant backgrounds and professionals in ECEC: a review based on empirical research. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 28(6), 789-805. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2020.1836582
  22. O’Reilly, F., U. Gattas, S., & Scerif, G. (2025). Improving executive function during toddlerhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of parent-led interventions. Developmental Review, 76, 101198. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2025.101198
  23. Pelawi, M. A., & Asbi, E. A. (2025). Psychosocial Adjustment of Breast Cancer Patients Post-Treatment Therapy and Mentoring. (Case Study of 4 Breast Cancer Patients in Sapkandara Community Medan). Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(3), 157-166. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v1i3.3479
  24. Pianta, R., & Kraft-Sayre, M. (2003). Successful kindergarten transition. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
  25. Riwukore, J. R., Marnisah, L., Fellyanus Habaora, F. H., & Yustini, T. (2022). Implementation of One Indonesian Data by the Central Statistics Agency of East Nusa Tenggara Province. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 1(2), 117-128. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v1i2.1194
  26. Salma, S. R. (2023). Media Power and the Rule of Law in the Rise of New Despotism: Lesson Learned from Indonesia, China, Russia, and Iran. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 2(2), 113-129. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v2i2.1890
  27. Sapariati, A., Widnyani, I. A. P. S., & Dewi, N. D. U. (2025). Normative Analysis Of Maternity Leave Policy Implementation For Women Workers’ Rights In Bali. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Sosial dan Politik, 5(1), 33-42. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jasispol.v5i1.3817
  28. Song, Y., Malhotra, S., Broekhuizen, M., Wang, Y., Chen, B.-B., & Dubas, J. S. (2021). Prosocial Behavior in Young Preschoolers: A Cross-Cultural Study across The Netherlands, India, and China. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 182(3), 129-148. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00221325.2021.1891857
  29. Tompkins, V. (2015). Improving Low-Income Preschoolers' Theory of Mind: A Training Study. Cogn Dev, 36, 1-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2015.07.001
  30. Turdiev, B. (2024). The Priority Of Human Interests In Uzbekistan’s Ideospheric Development. ????????????? ??????? ??????????? ?????????????? ????, 3(15), 120-123. doi:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13369668
  31. Turdiev, B. S. (2024). Balancing national and universal perspectives: the dialectical dynamics in society’s ideosphere. Asian Journal of Basic Science & Research, 6(3), 59-65. doi:http://doi.org/10.38177/AJBSR.2024.6307
  32. Vasiou, A., Kassis, W., Krasanaki, A., Aksoy, D., Favre, C. A., & Tantaros, S. (2023). Exploring Parenting Styles Patterns and Children's Socio-Emotional Skills. Children (Basel), 10(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071126
  33. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge: MA: Harvard University Press.
  34. Yakubjanovna, S. N. (2025). Methods of developing the physical qualities of general secondary school students. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic and Practice Studies, 3(3), 967-978. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jomaps.v3i3.3500
  35. Zhang, H., & Hong, X. (2021). Family process and young children’s social adaptation: conditional process analyses across child-care experiences. Early Child Development and Care, 192. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2021.1990909
  36. Zhang, H., Jiang, L., & Hong, X. (2022). Family process and young children’s social adaptation: conditional process analyses across child-care experiences. Early Child Development and Care, 192(14), 2185-2199. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2021.1990909
  37. Zhu, X., Dou, D., & Karatzias, T. (2024). Editorial: Parental influence on child social and emotional functioning. Front Psychol, 15, 1392772. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392772