Longitudinal research indicates that young children who develop disruptive behaviour problems are at an elevated risk for a host of negative outcomes including chronic aggression and conduct problems, substance abuse, poor emotion regulation, school failure, peer problems and delinquency.4, 5 Early - appearing externalizing behaviours can disrupt relationships with parents and peers, initiating processes that can maintain or exacerbate children's behavioural problems.6 Therefore,
very early
intervention (e.g., in day care, preschool, or kindergarten) can be important in interrupting the potential path to chronic aggression in children who display
aggressive behaviour or who are at risk for developing
aggressive behaviour.