Ying Guo|Virginia Tompkins|Laura M. Justice|Yaacov Petscher
Classroom Age Composition and Vocabulary Development Among At-Risk Preschoolers
Florida State University|University of Cincinnati|Florida State University|University of Cincinnati|Florida State University|University of Cincinnati|Florida State University|University of Cincinnati
purpose exploratory study examine relationship classroom age composition preschoolers vocabulary gains academic year also examine whether relations moderated classroom quality study n 130 children 16 classrooms representing subset children enrolled classrooms results showed significant crosslevel interaction classroom age composition childrens age suggesting positive effects greater variance classroom age composition younger older children interaction behavior management 1 dimension classroom quality classroom age composition also significant indicating wider distribution classroom age composition positively related childrens vocabulary gains within classrooms characterized better behavior managementfindings underscore importance childrens social interactions knowledgeable conversational partners promoting vocabulary development signify need help teachers learn manage childrens behaviors provide classroom optimal child learning