- the relationship to children's engagement and behavior difficulties in preschool activities?

Students' engagement level is a promotive factor for academic achievement and an indicator of mental health. Preschool is seen as an environment that encourages positive development of all children and can be especially important for children in need of special support due to behavioral difficulties. This a follow-up project in grades three and six, of children who’s everyday functioning and preschool environment have been surveyed. Previous data is based on preschool teachers' estimation of children's engagement, behavior difficulties, special needs and interaction, and observation data. The aim of this study is to enhance knowledge on how the children's behavior difficulties, engagement and environmental factors in preschool are related to the children’s engagement in the classroom in grade 6, and the results of the national tests in grade 3 and 6.

Project leader: Mats Granlund