Significant differences in language and self-regulation skills exist among children when they enter formal schooling. Contributing to these language differences is a growing population of dual language learners (DLLs) in the United States. Given evidence linking self-regulatory processes and language development, this study explored bidirectional associations between English expressive vocabulary and self-regulation skills for monolingual English and DLL preschool children (N = 250) from mixed-income families in Los Angeles. Across three time points, findings provide initial support for bidirectionality between these developing skills for both monolinguals and DLLs. Results provide strong empirical support for vocabulary serving as a leading indicator of self-regulation skills in preschool. Findings also suggest that early self-regulation skills play a particularly important role for vocabulary development.

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This article examines whether longitudinal reading trajectories vary by the generational status of immigrant children as they begin formal schooling through the 3rd grade. The results of the hierarchical linear model indicated that 1st and 2nd generation children (i.e., those born in a foreign country and those born in the United States to foreign-born parents, respectively) had higher achievement scores at the spring of kindergarten than did 3rd generation children. Yet, controlling for race/ethnicity and maternal education fully reduced the 1st generation advantage. In addition, 1st generation children grew in reading achievement at a faster rate than did 3rd generation children. Controlling for a host of proximal and distal factors that included demographic, race/ethnic, family, and school characteristics somewhat reduced the association between generational status and rate of growth. First and 2nd generation children continued to increase their reading scores at a faster rate than did 3rd generation children. It is likely that additional factors not measured in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey-Kindergarten cohort, such as selection, cultural, or motivational factors, would be useful in further explaining the immigrant advantage.

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The relationship between Latino fathers' immigrant status and their involvement with their 12-month-old infants was examined using the Fragile Families data set, a longitudinal birth cohort study. We examined differences among 787 immigrant and nonimmigrant Latino fathers along three dimensions of father involvementaccessibility, engagement, and caretaking, as reported by both mothers and fathers. First generation immigrant fathers were more accessible to their infants, but showed lower levels of engagement with and caretaking of their children compared to nonimmigrant fathers, controlling for numerous background factors. Immigrant fathers' lower level of engagement was partially mediated by fathers' traditional attitudes. Findings indicate that there may be some culturally different norms for immigrant fathering. Culturally-relevant measures of fathering should be included in future large-scale studies, including constructs such as familism and acculturation.

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The significant rise in immigration that took place at the end of the 20th century and continues into the 21st has resulted in demographic shifts in the composition of the United States and of elementary schools in particular (see Chapter 1, this volume). These changes call attention to the academic achievement and potential of Latino immigrant children, particularly because these children are often categorized as being at risk because of their high likelihood of living in poverty with parents who have lower levels of educational attainment and English language proficiency. First-generation children who identify as Latino are the most likely to live in poverty (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2002). Children living in poverty face challenges often associated with academic difficulties, including increased family stress and lower levels of cognitive stimulation in the home. Children of immigrants may additionally be forced to confront language barriers in the home and in school that limit their ability to thrive in academic environments.This chapter explores whether an immigrant advantage is found among the youngest cohort of children in very low-income Latino families. Specifically, I describe the results of a study I conducted that focused on the reading and math achievement of young immigrant and nonimmigrant children