Chinese preschoolers' extracurricular activity involvement: Child temperament and school readiness as predictors

Child participation in organized extracurricular activities (EAs) has attracted increasing scholarly attention. This study examined how child temperament and school readiness predicted EA participation trajectories among 345 Chinese preschoolers (Mean_Age = 55.87 months at T1). On average, children showed linear increases in their overall EA participation. Structural equation modeling showed that children with higher negative affect had lower initial levels of EA participation. However, children with more difficult temperament (i.e., higher surgency or negative affect) or those with better school readiness showed faster increases in EA involvement. Interaction effects between child temperament and school readiness on EA participation trajectories were also found. School readiness was positively related to children's initial levels of EA participation among children with relatively low negative affect. Better school readiness predicted faster increases in EA participation only among children with relatively high surgency. The findings revealed how children's developmental characteristics may help shape their extracurricular contexts.