The need for this type of research is increasingly important, as young children are dealing
with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. If we are able to accurately indicate if
parenting styles foster appropriate development of social emotional skills, parents and children
will be able to work together to increase the mental health state of our young children. Violence
in schools is on the rise, as well as bullying. When children are faced with delayed development,
not only do they deal with the day to day issues of socialization and identification of emotions,
but they also struggle with academic and peer successes. Furthering research on the effects of
parenting on a preschool aged child‟s social emotional development will help create clarity and
understanding into the world of a preschool aged child's mental health. This will also give
parents the tools to improve both their parenting, and the development of their child. Because
little research exists on this topic, the study will be able to fill a need regarding the relationship
of parenting styles and social emotional development between parents and children.