Lori E. Skibbe|Annemarie H. Hindman|Carol McDonald Connor|Michelle Housey|Frederick J. Morrison
Relative Contributions of Prekindergarten and Kindergarten to Children's Literacy and Mathematics Skills
Michigan State University|Temple University|Arizona State University|Michigan Department of Health and Human Services|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
difficulty developmental researchers disambiguating childrens general maturation influence schooling study use natural experiment examine influence prekindergarten kindergarten schooling experiences development literacy mathematics children n 60 whose birthdates fell within two months statedetermined cutoff date prekindergarten kindergarten entry administered four subtests woodcockjohnson tests achievement iii fall spring school year using hierarchical linear modeling coupled propensity score matching children starting kindergarten prior experience prekindergarten higher scores measures phonological awareness early reading mathematics skills children attended prekindergarten previously even though essentially age fall vocabulary scores differ relation whether children prekindergarten experience addition although children attended kindergarten well attended prekindergarten exhibited growth measures school year children attended kindergarten demonstrated greater gains early reading vocabulary school year findings highlight potential early schooling processes facilitate childrens intellectual growth