Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
The Emotional Intelligence of Children in the Early
Childhood Development Center: A Case in Thailand
Supaporn Keardrit*, Somlerk Jeungsmarn** and Kittipong Keardrit***
The aims of this study were to analyze the relationship between parenting
style and emotional intelligence of children in the early childhood development
centers and elementary schools under care of Nakhon Pathom Hospital; and identify
problems, suggestions and comments on its implementation. Samples of the study
consisted of 316 parents of the children (aged 3-5 years) in the early childhood
development centers in Nakhon Pathom Province, located in the central part of
Thailand. A Questionnaire was used for data collecting during 1 December 2013 – 31
January 2014.
The finding revealed that: The parenting style of children was at the moderate
level. The emotional intelligence of children in T-score was at 40-49 which indicates
that it should be developed further.
Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Early Childhood, Nakhon Pathom.
I. Introduction
In developing countries should be improved the quality. Children are crucial
resources in the future. Environment adaptation, practice skills, emotional controls
are essential factor for develop emotional intelligence. This is consistent with the
spirit of the Education Act of 2542, as amended (No. 2) Act 2545 to
preach children that thrive as human resources quality further.
Department of Mental Health focused on the importance of emotional
intelligence. The assessment emotional intelligence of children (3 - 5 and 6 - 11
years old) consist 3 main elements and 9 secondary elements.
The First main element is good such as emotional understanding of themselves and
others. Smart is second main element such as trying, adaptation and assertive. The
last main elements is happy such as self satisfaction and cheerful.2 A comparison of
the situation and emotional intelligence of children aged 3-5 years in Thailand during
the years 2545 and 2550 found the mostly children aged 3-5 years in Thailand with a
normal score. However, compares to 2550 scores decreased by 9.47 points.3, 8
Emotional intelligence is based on two main factors. 4, 15 The first factor is
Genetic and emotional basic that determine each human being has a fundamental
_________________________________________________________________
*Supaporn Keardrit M.Sc., Division of Social Medicine, Nakhon Pathom Hospital, Thailand,
mousupa@hotmail.com
**Somlerk Jeungsmarn M.D., Director of Nakhon Pathom Hospital, Thailand somlerk_j@yahoo.com
***kittipong Keardrit Ph.D., Department of disease control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand,
phrainn@hotmail.com
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
nature of different emotions. Emotional basic ingrained since birth. It’s
important to determine the behavioral, emotional and personality. Second factor is
the environment and parenting style. It can develop and control the negative mood.
Meanwhile, it can help promote a positive. Therefore, family is part of emotional
intelligence development.
Nakhon Pathom Hospital is a public health department that provides care for
children. The exploring, promotes growth, vaccination. Relationship between the
parenting styles of parents with higher emotional intelligence. The aims of study are
plant operations, forecast and emotional intelligence development of children.
II. Method
This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate emotional intelligence.
The data were collected from 1 December 2013 – 31 January 2014, consisted of 316
parents of children (aged 3-5 years) in the early ninechildhood development centers.
In addition to the demographic information, the research instrument used
questionnaire. It is a self-completion questionnaire with 96 items divided into two
subscales: (a) demographic information and (b) emotional intelligence test. The
demographic information is defined as demographic and professional characteristic
of parents of children, occupation and relationship of parents, personality of father
and mother, characteristics of people who care children (newborn – 5 years) and
characteristics of children. The emotional intelligence test developed by Department
of Mental Health, Ministry of public Health in Thailand. The emotional intelligence of
children test consist 3 main elements and 9 secondary elements. The First main
element is good such as emotional understanding of themselves and others. Smart
is second main element such as trying, adaptation and assertive. The last main
element is happy such as self satisfaction and cheerful.
The instrument asks respondent parent how much they act with each item on
a 5-point scale The construct validity was calculated for the 96 item survey using
Cronbach's alpha, r = 0.89 (n = 316). Each question in the questionnaire had five
answer choices ranging from very mostly act to seldom act. Subjects would score
between 1 to 5 points for each question. Based on the negative and positive
connotation of
each question in terms of act with parenting style , a scoring system ranging from 1
to 5 or the opposite (5-1) was employed according to the instructions of the
questionnaire. Scores of each category were reported separately. Different scores
were not compiled together because of the difference in the fields of the
questionnaire All statistical analysis was completed using descriptive statistics and
chi-squre test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20). P<0.05 was
considered significant.
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
III. Result
Demographic and professional characteristic of parents of children are shown
in Table 1. Most of the participants who care children were parent (42.7%). Mostly
marriage status was couple (84.5%).
Table 1 – Demographic and professional characteristic of parents of children
(n=316).
N (%)
People who care children
Father
(2.5)
8
Mother
(37.7)
119
parent
(42.7)
135
grandfather
(7.3)
23
grandmother
(9.5)
30
another
(0.3)
1
Marriage Status
couple
(84.5)
267
separated
(10.6)
34
divorced
(3.8)
12
widowed
(0.7)
2
Father died
(0.4)
1
Father education
Primary education
(13.0)
41
High school education
(39.6)
125
Diploma
(12.0)
38
Bachelor’s degree
(25.9)
82
Postgraduate
(7.6)
24
another
(1.9)
6
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
Mother education
Primary education
(11.7)
37
(43.4)
High school education
137
(11.4)
Diploma
36
Bachelor’s degree
(25.9)
82
(7.6)
Postgraduate
24
Occupation of father and mother is high school education 39.6 and 43.4
respectively. The relationship between parents mostly amicable 71.6 are shown in
Table 2.
Table 2 – Occupation and relationship of parents
N (%)
father occupation
employee
(13.9)
44
(15.2)
Government officer
48
(13.9)
Self - employed
44
(6.6)
agriculturist
21
(38.3)
freelance
121
mother occupation
employee
(12.7)
40
(8.5)
housewife
27
(17.1)
Government officer
54
mother occupation
Self - employed
(12.3)
39
(3.5)
agriculturist
11
(43.7)
freelance
138
(2.2)
another
7
The relationship of parents
amicable
(71.6)
226
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
(16.9)
inconsistent
53
(0.7)
Mostly incompatible
2
(9.8)
Impassible
31
Father personality is kindness 222 as same as mother personality is
representing 70.3% and 68.0% percent 4 respectively. The details are shown in
Table3.
Table 3 – Personality of father and mother
N (%)
Father personality
kindness
(70.3)
222
(56.0)
assiduous
177
(46.2)
indulgent
146
(42.4)
generous
134
(40.5)
peaceable
128
(29.4)
puritanical
93
(14.6)
reprehended
46
(13.6)
taciturn
43
(12.3)
religious
39
(11.4)
temperamental
36
(11.1)
another
35
(8.5)
social able
27
(7.3)
womanizer
23
(3.8)
gambler
12
(0.9)
sluggard
3
Mother personality
kindness
(68.0)
215
(63.0)
assiduous
199
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
(47.2)
indulgent
149
(39.2)
generous
124
(26.9)
Beauty-loving
85
(23.7)
Manage everything
75
(20.9)
puritanical
66
(20.6)
temperamental
65
(16.5)
religious
52
(10.8)
social able
34
N (%)
(6.3)
another
20
(5.1)
sluggard
16
(2.8)
gambler
9
(1.6)
smoker
5
People who care children (newborn – 5 years) are mostly mother 65.2%.
Moreover, mother is people
who love and protect children 44.6%. Father are mostly people who love and spoil
the child and strict and formalism 25.0% and 25.9% respectively. But people who not
pay attention children is another 80.7%.The details are shown in table 4.
Table 4 – Characteristics of People who care children (newborn – 5 years)
N (%)
People who care children (newborn – 5 years)
Father
12
mother
206
parents
33
grandfather
22
grandmother
28
relation
(3.8)
(65.2)
(10.4)
(7.0)
(8.9)
(3.2)
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
10
(1.3)
babysitter
4
(0)
another
0
People who love and spoil the child
Father
(25.0)
79
(16.1)
mother
51
(5.1)
parents
16
(15.5)
grandfather
49
(19.0)
grandmother
60
(9.2)
relation
29
(1.6)
babysitter
5
(8.5)
another
27
People who strict and formalism
Father
(25.9)
82
(50.9)
mother
161
(5.4)
parents
17
9
12
14
0
grandfather
grandmother
relation
babysitter
another
(2.8)
(3.8)
(4.4)
(0)
(6.6)
21
People who love and protect children
Father
(11.1)
35
(44.6)
mother
141
(23.1)
parents
73
(6.0)
grandfather
19
(8.5)
grandmother
27
(2.9)
relation
9
babysitter
(0.9)
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
3
(2.9)
another
9
People who not pay attention children
Father
(7.3)
23
17
1
2
mother
parents
grandfather
(5.4)
(0.3)
(0.6)
N (%)
(1.6)
grandmother
5
(19.6)
relation
62
(0.3)
babysitter
1
(80.7)
another
255
Characteristics of children are not a sickly child and not tempered 84.2%,
75.6% respectively. The most children just only child 52.8% are shown in Table 5.
Table 5 – Characteristics of children
N (%)
Children is often get a flu
Yes
(15.8)
50
(84.2)
No
266
Children is tempered (newborn – 3 months)
Yes
(24.4)
177
(75.6)
No
239
Number of Children
one
(52.8)
167
(36.4)
two
115
(9.8)
three
31
(0.3)
four
1
(0.6)
five
2
No. of Children
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
(52.8)
Only child
167
(12.0)
First
38
(35.1)
Second - fourth
111
The emotional intelligence of children in the early childhood development
center and elementary school under Nakhon Pathom Hospital found that most of the
t - score 40 - 49 points, representing 59.5 %. The lower than 40 points representing
20.6% percent and the last t – score 50 up point representing 19.9 percent of the
details shown in table 6.
Table 6 – emotional intelligence level of children in the early childhood development
center and elementary school under Nakhon Pathom Hospital
N (%)
EQ > 50
63 (19.9)
(Should preserve and retain)
40 > EQ < 49
188 (59.5)
(Should developed)
EQ < 40
65 (20.6)
(need to developed)
Parenting style is five issues. In the form of the fourth is as follows in
descending order of average, a reasonably conditional parenting style (mean = 4.1,
S.D. = 0.5) democratic parenting style (mean = 3.9, S.D. = 0.5), integrated parenting
style (mean = 3.6, S.D. = 0.7) and permissive parenting style (mean = 3.2, S.D. =
0.5) and authoritarian parenting style (mean = 3.0, S.D. = 0.6) is the way parents use
least. Detailed are shown in Table 7.
Table 7 – Mean and standard deviation of parenting style of parent
Parenting Style
xˉ
S.D.
Requirement No.
Democratic Parenting Style
Reasonably conditional Parenting
Style
Permissive Parenting Style
Authoritarian Parenting Style
Integrated Parenting Style
3.9
4.4
0.5
0.5
high
high
2
1
3.2
3.0
3.6
0.5
0.6
0.7
moderate
moderate
high
4
5
3
The Parenting Style was not associated with emotional intelligence of children
in the early childhood
development center and elementary school under Nakhon Pathom Hospital,
statistical significance (p = 0.028)
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
Table 8 – relationship between parenting children
intelligence
EQ
Democrat Reasona Permissiv
ic
bly
e
condition
al
EQ > 50
14 (4.4)
35 (11.1) 0 (0.0)
40 > EQ < 49 (15.5) 97 (30.7
1 (0. 3)
49
EQ < 40
14 (4.4)
30 (9.5)
5 (1.6)
of parents with higher emotional
Authoritari
an
Integrate Pd
value
1 (0.3)
3 (0.9)
13 (4.1)
38
(12.0)
0 (0.0)
16
(5.06)
0.0028
IV. Discussion
This study found that the people who mostly care children is the parent.
However, mother and grandparents also care children, respectively. So children
receive care and warmth from close personal. Mostly marriage status was couple
(84.5%). The warmth of family and close person affects the child. Moreover, the
relationship of parents is a factor that unavoidably affected children because children
absorb what they have learned from adults. Occupation of father and mother is high
school education. Father personality is kindness as same as mother personality. His
beloved wife is often offended children and wife. If the pampering under the reason.
It would be good for families. Father and mother is a close person. So parenting style
or expression must affect children's growth it consistent with the study of the
Doungdean Moonklang. This document is awareness the importance of cultivating a
personality. Most the children during 1 - 5 years old are critical to develop personality
by imitating parents or closely person.
The research of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health 8 explains the
different of parenting style effect to emotional intelligence. This paper are shown, no
neglect the children from parents or legation. So parents care responsibly as same
as the study of Lakana choobsiang.9 Family take care, give love and warmth,
decrease anxiety and effect to the development of intelligent and social of
parenting style with emotional intelligence. Other factor may effect to emotional
intelligence such as status of society, environment, Genetic of child. Future research,
we ought to start from these factors. Mostly of parent used reasonably conditional
Parenting Style as same as Rongaroon Ponggan10, Orrapin Chomchom and ngamta
wanintanon.11 As a result, children become good leaders and followers, take a
reasonable, control emotionฟand adaption. Democratic Parenting Style also result to
emotional intelligence as same as The research of Mental Health, Ministry of Public
Health.12 This style support appropriately development. The child can adapt in every
situation. Integrated Parenting Style as same as the study of Nikom Yodmani13and
Kwanjai Jariyatassanakorn. 14
Report shows no parenting style are only
appropriately parenting style. Therefore, parenting style the whole is essential
factor. It would also pave the way for the establishment of EQ database for children
that could monitor changes in the total children.
Proceedings of 26th International Business Research Conference
7 - 8 April 2014, Imperial College, London, UK, ISBN: 978-1-922069-46-7
V.
Conclusion
Mostly children in the early childhood development center and elementary
school under Nakhon Pathom Hospital have t-score 40 - 49 points, representing 59.5
percent. The result shows parents should be encouraging and developing emotional
intelligence on each side constantly. The developing emotional intelligence such as
the activity of developing emotional intelligence, learning environment to support
children's learning. And live happily with others. The Parenting Style was not
associated with emotional intelligence. Observations from this study found that the
most reasonably conditional parenting style tend to affect the emotional intelligence
of young children. Moreover, emotional intelligence may be effect from social status
of parents, education of parent and income. Because of in-depth information show
mostly children have t-score 50 points or more, His parent has high social status,
good education and high income. It different explicitly from the child have t-score 40
> EQ < 49 and EQ < 40. So, Experimental research should be done to compare the
style of parenting that affects the emotional intelligence of young children most. And
other factors In order to develop the emotional intelligence of a child, the following
sequence.
VI. Acknowledgement
We thanks for Dr. Somlerk Jeungsmarn, Director of Nakhon Pathom Hospital.
Dr. Suthon Aimprasittichai, Head of Division of Social Medicine, for providing the
necessary support. Dr. Chaweewan Boonkum for completing statistical this study.
Including, teacher and every parents of children.
VII. Reference
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3.
4.
5.
6.
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