The early prediction of math difficulties (MD) is important as it facilitates timely support. MD are multifaceted, and several factors are involved in their manifestation. This makes the accurate ...early prediction of MD particularly challenging. In the present study, we aim to predict MD in Grade 6 with kindergarten-age (age 6) measures by applying a neural networks model. We use a set of 49 variables assessed during kindergarten from the domains of early arithmetic skills, cognitive skills, the home learning environment, parental measures, motivation, behavioral problems, and gender, which have been shown to have associations with mathematical development and/or MD. A two-step approach was used: First, we examined whether the neural networks approach can provide a solution for the effective early identification of MD based on all 49 variables and, then, by using the most important predictors as identified by the initial model. The initial model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of .818, demonstrating excellent performance. The most important predictors of Grade 6 MD came from the domains of arithmetic and cognitive skills (arithmetic skills, rapid automatized naming, number concepts, spatial skills, counting) and behavioral problems (attention-orientation). The model with only the most important predictors achieved an AUC of .776, indicating good performance. Our results provided proof of concept for using neural networks in MD prediction in Grade 6 using information already available in kindergarten. In schools, these results could be used to identify children at potential risk of developing MD and to provide access to early support.
Educational Impact and Implications Statement
Approximately 4%-15% of children suffer from math difficulties (MD), and many more struggle with them without a formal diagnosis. MD have been shown to put children at increased risk of lower academic achievement, lower motivation, anxiety, depression, and even higher unemployment. Predicting MD accurately and early facilitates timely support. The current study demonstrates the potential of neural networks models to facilitate the early identification of those at risk of developing MD. The performance of our model provided proof of concept for using neural networks for the prediction of MD in Grade 6 using information already available in kindergarten. In a school setting, such prediction knowledge could be used to identify children at potential risk of developing MD and to provide access to early support.
Many recent articles have focused on reading instruction in kindergarten, but few have solicited the beliefs of the experts—kindergarten teachers. This study examined California teachers’ perceptions ...of teaching reading to kindergarten students. Kindergarten teachers from northern to southern California were surveyed (N = 103). Teachers reported on student oral language competence, reading achievement, and mastery of six of the English Language Arts Standards. Due to numerous standards, teachers reported that there was less time for traditional kindergarten activities and subject area instruction, both of which promote language development. Participants believed that students with advanced language skills at the beginning of kindergarten became proficient readers. Some students, with underdeveloped language, found learning to read frustrating and confusing. Other students, with underdeveloped language, may have grasped the decoding aspect of reading, but were lacking in comprehension.
One year after participating in the Research-based, Developmentally Informed (REDI) intervention or "usual practice" Head Start, the learning and behavioral outcomes of 356 children (17% Hispanic, ...25% African American; 54% girls; M age = 4.59 years at initial assessment) were assessed. In addition, their 202 kindergarten classrooms were evaluated on quality of teacher–student interactions, emphasis on reading instruction, and school-level student achievement. Hierarchical linear analyses revealed that the REDI intervention promoted kindergarten phonemic decoding skills, learning engagement, and competent social problem-solving skills, and reduced aggressive–disruptive behavior. Intervention effects on social competence and inattention were moderated by kindergarten context, with effects strongest when children entered schools with low student achievement. Implications are discussed for developmental models of school readiness and early educational programs.
Number sense development of 411 middle- and low-income kindergartners (mean age 5.8 years) was examined over 4 time points while controlling for gender, age, and reading skill. Although low-income ...children performed significantly worse than middle-income children at the end of kindergarten on all tasks, both groups progressed at about the same rate. An exception was story problems, on which the low-income group achieved at a slower rate; both income groups made comparable progress when the same problems were presented nonverbally with visual referents. Holding other predictors constant, there were small but reliable gender effects favoring boys on overall number sense performance as well as on nonverbal calculation. Using growth mixture modeling, 3 classes of growth trajectories in number sense emerged.
This study examined the contribution of executive function (EF) and multiple aspects of fine motor skills to achievement on 6 standardized assessments in a sample of middle-socioeconomic status ...kindergarteners. Three- and 4-year-olds' (n = 213) fine and gross motor skills were assessed in a home visit before kindergarten, EF was measured at fall of kindergarten, and Woodcock—Johnson III Tests of Academic Achievement were administered at fall and spring. Correlations indicated that EF and fine motor skills appeared distinct. Further, controlling for background variables, higher levels of both EF and fine motor skills, specifically design copy, predicted higher achievement on multiple subtests at kindergarten entry, as well as improvement from fall to spring. Implications for research on school readiness are discussed.
Early Math Matters Jordan, Nancy C; Kaplan, David; Ramineni, Chaitanya ...
Developmental psychology,
05/2009, Letnik:
45, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Children's number competencies over 6 time points, from the beginning of kindergarten to the middle of 1st grade, were examined in relation to their mathematics achievement over 5 later time points, ...from the end of 1st grade to the end of 3rd grade. The relation between early number competence and mathematics achievement was strong and significant throughout the study period. A sequential process growth curve model showed that kindergarten number competence predicted rate of growth in mathematics achievement between 1st and 3rd grades as well as achievement level through 3rd grade. Further, rate of growth in early number competence predicted mathematics performance level in 3rd grade. Although low-income children performed more poorly than their middle-income counterparts in mathematics achievement and progressed at a slower rate, their performance and growth were mediated through relatively weak kindergarten number competence. Similarly, the better performance and faster growth of children who entered kindergarten at an older age were explained by kindergarten number competence. The findings show the importance of early number competence for setting children's learning trajectories in elementary school mathematics.
Anhand vieler spannender historischer Dokumente zeichnet dieses Buch die Entwicklungsstränge der Kita-Berufe von ihren Anfängen bis ins Heute nach. Es stellt charismatische Persönlichkeiten als ...Wegbereiter*innen vor und beleuchtet dabei anschaulich, wie stark die institutionelle Betreuung und Erziehung mit politisch-gesellschaftlicher Zeitgeschichte verknüpft ist. Mit großem Praxisbezug hinterfragt es zudem die aktuelle Diskrepanz zwischen den hohen Anforderungen an die heutige Kitapraxis und den dafür zur Verfügung gestellten Ressourcen. Vorgelegt wird damit ein gut lesbares, wissenschaftlich fundiertes Unterrichtsmaterial für alle sozialpädagogischen Ausbildungen, das gleichermaßen gestandenen Fachkräften wie interessierten Laien einen kenntnisreichen Blick auf das Berufsbild ermöglicht.
This study examined the role of self-regulation in emerging academic ability in one hundred and forty-one 3- to 5-year-old children from low-income homes. Measures of effortful control, false belief ...understanding, and the inhibitory control and attention-shifting aspects of executive function in preschool were related to measures of math and literacy ability in kindergarten. Results indicated that the various aspects of child self-regulation accounted for unique variance in the academic outcomes independent of general intelligence and that the inhibitory control aspect of executive function was a prominent correlate of both early math and reading ability. Findings suggest that curricula designed to improve self-regulation skills as well as enhance early academic abilities may be most effective in helping children succeed in school.
Indirect effects of preschool classroom indexes of teacher talk were tested on fourth-grade outcomes for 57 students from low-income families in a longitudinal study of classroom and home influences ...on reading. Detailed observations and audiotaped teacher and child language data were coded to measure content and quantity of verbal interactions in preschool classrooms. Preschool teachers' use of sophisticated vocabulary during free play predicted fourth-grade reading comprehension and word recognition (mean age = 9; 7), with effects mediated by kindergarten child language measures (mean age = 5; 6). In large group preschool settings, teachers' attention-getting utterances were directly related to later comprehension. Preschool teachers' correcting utterances and analytic talk about books, and early support in the home for literacy predicted fourth-grade vocabulary, as mediated by kindergarten receptive vocabulary.
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