Inquiry skills in young low-income children may be an important point of intervention for promoting school readiness and later academic achievement. The current study aimed to investigate and measure the inquiry skills of low-income preschoolers. In a newly-designed, game-based assessment (the Inquiry Game), children were instructed to ask questions to determine a target picture among an array of pictures varying by color and object type. Asking constraint-seeking questions that use color and object type to eliminate multiple pictures is a more efficient strategy (and thus evidence of greater inquiry skills), in comparison to asking about a specific picture. One hundred and sixty Head Start preschoolers’ inquiry skills were assessed using the Inquiry Game at three time points. Data on children’s problem solving, math, language, and literacy skills were also collected to examine concurrent and predictive validity of the measure. Results revealed that asking about one picture at a time was the most popular strategy at all time points; however, children asked more efficient questions in the winter and spring when compared to performance in the fall. Analyses revealed a relationship between inquiry skills and vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and matrix reasoning ability. Results, as well as future directions, are presented and discussed.

Thesis (M.A.)--Marshall University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 20 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 14-15).

This study investigated the important question of whether pupils' executive functions (EF) predict early academic achievement. Current conceptualizations suggest that developmental trends in EF can be measured in young children and that EF may play an important role in predicting academic achievement and school readiness. To date, however, there is little empirical support for this assertion. This study explored EF skills of 3- to 5 year-olds using the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task (DCCS). The first objective was to determine if EF indeed predicts math, reading, and writing achievement in 3- to 5-year-olds. The second objective was to determine if EF's prediction of academics occurs independent of the contribution made by general ability (e.g., Battelle motor and language subdomains). The third objective was to determine if the contribution of EF remains uniform across the age span. Consequently, existing data from 969 participants between 54 to 71 months was used. This consisted of scores on the DCCS as well as the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) to measure early reading and writing skills, the Test of Early Math Ability -Third Edition (TEMA-3) to measure early math skills, and sections of the Battelle Developmental Inventory 2nd Edition (BDI- 2) to measure general development. A positive relationship between EF and early math, reading, and writing skills was found. Also EF, as measured by the DCCS, contributed a significant portion of variance in early math, reading, and writing skills after accounting for general development, age, and socioeconomic status. Finally, the contribution of EF to early reading and writing skills remained stable between 3 and 5 years old. In contrast, EF was a stronger predictor of early math skills among 3-year-olds when compared to 5- year-olds.

Priešmokyklinio ugdymo paskirtis – padėti vaikui pasirengti sėkmingai mokytis pagal pradinio ugdymo programą. Tačiau ne visi priešmokyklinio amžiaus vaikai į pirmą klasę ateina subrendę mokyklinei veiklai. Lietuvoje dar maža tyrimų, atskleidžiančių brandumo mokyklai ir vaiko mokyklinių pasiekimų sąsajas, kurie leistų išskirti intelektinės ir socialinės emocinės brandos gebėjimus, geriausiai numatančius būsimos mokyklinės veiklos sėkmę. Todėl šio tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti vaiko brandumo mokyklai sąsajas su akademiniais pasiekimais pirmoje klasėje. Tyrimas buvo vykdomas trimis etapais. Pirmajame etape dalyvavo 46 priešmokyklinio amžiaus lopšelio –darželio bei mokyklos – darželio vaikai, kuriems 2007 kalendoriniais metais suėjo 7 metai. Tyrimas vyko 2007 m. balandžio – gegužės mėnesiais. Vaikų brandumo mokyklai įvertinimo metodika (2005) buvo įvertinti vaikų kognityvinė, socialinė ir emocinė branda mokyklai. 2007 m. gruodžio ir 2008 m. balandžio mėnesiais buvo vertinami pirmajame etape dalyvavusių vaikų skaitymo, rašymo ir matematinių žinių pasiekimai. Skaitymo, rašymo ir matematinių žinių pasiekimai buvo vertinami užduočių baterijomis, sudarytomis remiantis Bendrojo pradinio ugdymo programomis ir išsilavinimo standartais. Gauti rezultatai atskleidė priešmokyklinio amžiaus vaikų pakankamą socialinę emocinę bei dalies vaikų nepakankamą intelektualinę mokyklinę brandą. Nustatyta, kad mokyklinės brandos rodikliai yra susiję su vėlesniais akademiniais pasiekimais: 1) rastas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Purpose of preschool education is to assist a child to get ready for successful studies according to the programme of primary education. However, not all children of preschool age come to the first grade being mature for the academic activity. In Lithuania, very few surveys have been conducted revealing the links of readiness for school and child‘s academic achievement that would allow characterising abilities of intellectual and social emotional readiness, predetermining the future academic success in the best way. Therefore, objective of this survey is to establish the links of child‘s readiness for school with his academic achievement in the first grade. The survey has been conducted in three stages: in the first stage, 46 children of preschool age from a creche –kindergarten and a school-kindergarten who in calendar year 2007 became 7 took part in the survey. The survey was conducted in April – May of 2007. Referring to the methodology for evaluation of children‘s readiness for school (2005), children‘s cognitive, social and emotional readiness for school was assessed. In December of 2007 and April of 2008, reading, writing and mathematical knowledge achievement of children who participated in the first stage were assessed. Reading, writing and mathematical knowledge achievement was assessed with the series of tasks formed referring to programmes of general primary education and education standards. The results obtained revealed sufficient social emotional readiness of... [to full text]

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2004. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-92). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

A surge of interest has emerged across the US in high-quality early childhood education programs that prepare children for success in school and later years. In particular, attention has been focused on the kindergarten year as having important consequences for a child’s acquisition of knowledge and skills that determine later school success. However, children begin kindergarten with a diverse array of skills and experiences, including many who have not been enrolled in any preschool programs outside the home environment. State kindergarten entry assessments can provide baseline information to help teachers target instruction and assist in meeting child learning benchmarks. In fall of 2013, school districts in Oregon began administering the Oregon Kindergarten Assessment (OKA) to all entering kindergarten students. Administered within the first six weeks of school, the OKA includes measures in early literacy, early math, and approaches to learning. This study explored student performance on the OKA as well as its utility as perceived by Oregon kindergarten teachers. Specifically, the following questions were asked: (1) Are there significant differences in children’s performance on the OKA based on demographic characteristics? (2) What is the performance of children previously receiving Early Childhood Special Education on the OKA? and (3) What is the utility of the OKA, as evaluated by kindergarten teachers? Data collected by the Oregon Department of Education were used, as well as data from kindergarten teacher interviews. Results of the study reinforce what is known about the opportunity gap among young children prior to entering kindergarten, as well as provide insight on how the intended purposes of the OKA are being met. Findings may assist administrators, teachers, parents, and policy makers in understanding current use of the OKA as well as assisting with future steps to modify curriculum, instructional methodology, teacher training, and transition practices.

Young children’s experiences, which include their transition to school, can influence not only their academic outcomes but also their life chances. This understanding has led to governments in England investing in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector over the past 20 years. Over time a “discourse of readiness” has become increasingly apparent in ECEC policies. The revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (DfE, 2012a) framework states that the purpose of the framework is to ensure children are ready for school. Increased political involvement in the sector has led to parents/families, ECEC practitioners and teachers sharing the task of preparing children for school. The aim of this research is to explore parents’, ECEC practitioners’ and teachers’ beliefs about the nature of children’s school readiness and the relationships between them as they prepare and support children during their transition to school. A case study approach was adopted. There are two cases, each comprising a school and an ECEC setting (sharing the same site) and their respective groups of parents. Interviews and focus groups were used to gain insights into parents’, ECEC practitioners’ and teachers’ beliefs and relationships. In this thesis the conceptual framework ‘The Relational Transition to School’ has been developed. The framework identifies both readiness and adjustment as two aspects of a transition. Also represented are the relationships between those who prepare and support children. Four types of relationships were identified: a distant relationship, a dominant relationship, a familiar relationship and a utopian relationship, with each relationship having different qualities. Certain relationships and the associated interactions were prone to change during the transition. Findings highlight practices that foster the qualities of relationships which are more likely to support children’s adjustment to school. Using these findings ECEC practitioners, teachers and local and national political administrators of education can aim to create transition policies and practices that foster these relationships between the adults. Through maintaining the focus on these relationships, children are likely to have a successful transition and positive attitude to school.

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program on school readiness. The HIPPY program uses home-based instruction to aid parents in teaching their children school readiness skills. The curriculum in this program includes literacy, math, and social skills. Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills assesses the academic achievement of students in different grade levels and in various subject areas. The chi square test revealed that the children in the HIPPY program were more likely to have higher passing rates on the first administration of TAKS Reading, Math and Science sections compared to non-participants. The implementation of early intervention and parental involvement programs such as HIPPY helps to facilitate students‟ success.

No description available.

Kindergarten school readiness and the phenomenon of students entering kindergarten without the necessary personal and social skills they need to be successful in kindergarten was explored in this qualitative study. How this phenomenon impacts the school setting, including administrative support systems and classroom instructional practices implemented by kindergarten teachers, was explored. Elementary principals and kindergarten teachers who experienced this phenomenon were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Official documents relating to the phenomenon being studied were collected and analyzed to provide for triangulation of the data. Findings of this study provide insights into current classroom practices that are currently being implemented to solve the problem of students' personal and social skill deficits. Findings will assist division level leaders, elementary principals and kindergarten teachers to guide and shape classroom practices designed for enhancing and improving students' personal and social skills. Findings report what current resources are being used by kindergarten teachers to provide personal and social skill instruction and how teachers' instructional practices in this domain are being guided and directed by administrators. Division level leaders and school level leaders are provided with information about instructional practices for improving kindergarten students' personal and social skills. Findings of the study show how elementary principals' and kindergarten teachers' beliefs about kindergarten students' personal and social skill development are aligned to the Virginia Department of Education's Foundation Blocks for Early Learning for certain skills and how they are not aligned for other skills. / Ph. D.