Jordanian mothers' perceptions of their children's social competence: an examination of family factors and demographic variables

Abstract

Children's social competence is an area of research that receives minimal attention from Jordanian researchers. It is important to investigate this area of development so as to provide parents with information about the nature of social competence and possible factors affecting its development. This research study examined Jordanian mothers' perceptions of their kindergarten children's social competence: individual and social attributes. Perceptions were investigated in relation to family size, child's gender, mothers' education level, and marital status. Social competence ratings were obtained from 726 mothers who responded to the study's two-part questionnaire developed by the researcher. The results revealed an average level of social competence ratings by mothers on the total scale with higher ratings for children's social attributes compared to individual attributes. Significant results were found between the study's variables and mothers' perceptions of children's competencies. Mothers who are married, with the least number of children, and with higher education levels rated competencies higher compared to their counterparts. Significant differences were also found for gender with mothers rating the social competence of girls higher than boys. Directions for future research include investigating social competence using multiple sources of data.

Keywords:

• social competence
• Jordan
• mothers' perceptions
• kindergarten children

Notes of contributors

Tagreed Fathi Abu Taleb is a professor of early childhood education and development working at the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Professor Abu Taleb is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Queen Rania Foundation for Education and Development. She also has extensive experience in university instruction, early childhood development standards, curriculum development, pre-service and in-service training programmes, parenting programmes, and regional and international early childhood consultancies.

Rifa Rafe AlZoubi is an assistant professor of educational psychology working at the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Dr AlZoubi is an instructor of developmental, cognitive, and language courses. She has also been a major contributor to the development of early childhood and elementary school curriculums in association with the Ministry of Education and of training of teacher programmes.