Children's Academic Achievement Research Articles

Benefits of Academic Tutoring and Socio-Emotional Support for Children With Disabilities: Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This qualitative study aimed to explore the outcomes of tutoring and socio-emotional support for children with disabilities, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parents of children with disabilities. The tutoring sessions improved children's academic achievement, emotional well-being, attitudes towards learning, learning motivation, and interest in learning. They also positively influenced children's social relations and peer interactions. Parents emphasized the importance of tailored plans and education. Results highlight the importance of using individualized support for children with disabilities, whether for remedial or non-remedial purposes, to ensure their holistic development. Practical implications and research recommendations are included.

Cultivating 21st-Century Learning Skills: The Effectiveness of Song-based Music and Movement for Improving Children's Social Skills

Researchers and educators asserted that music-based intervention is more effective than traditional teaching approaches when educating children due to the fact that music-based intervention promotes students' memory and interest. An ongoing imbalance in education that stands to be corrected is how parents and teachers may be more concerned with children's academic achievement than their social skills. In that context, this quantitative study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of song-based music and movement intervention in improving social skills among elementary-age children. The sixty participants (aged 7–9 years) were divided equally into three experimental groups (song-based, music and movement as well as song-based music and movement intervention) and a control group (no treatment). Quantitative data collected through pre and post-tests were assessed by three independent evaluators using the researcher-adapted Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Skills Measurement Form (IISMF). Participants' physical reactions, such as facial expressions, behaviours, and emotions, were observed. The results indicated that the song-based music and movement intervention had significantly improved the social skills on both dimensions of intrapersonal and interpersonal compared to the other interventions. This study provides insights to promote the implementation of song-based music and movement intervention for schoolteachers to improve young age children's social skills. Furthermore, social skills are one of the crucial elements in 21st-century learning skills that contribute to their future success.

Gentrification, displacement, and academic achievement: A formal mediation analysis

Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood has long been known to adversely affect children's academic achievement. Comparatively less is known about what happens to children's academic achievement when disadvantaged neighborhoods gentrify. This study uses data from a nationally representative sample of children from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (n = 1,163) along with counterfactual methods and a value-added design to examine how gentrification and residential displacement figure into children's academic achievement patterns. This study provides a formal mediation analysis that decomposes the total effect of gentrification on children's academic achievement into that which operates through residential displacement versus alternative pathways. This study finds that the effects of gentrification on children's achievement patterns were concentrated amongst low-income children and were observed most strongly when gentrifiers were White. Low-income children exposed to gentrification saw declines in their academic performance trajectories, especially in math. These adverse effects were not found to be mediated by residential displacement. A comprehensive set of sensitivity analyses indicates that results were robust to unobserved confounding, alternative model specifications, different weighting strategies, and multiple measures of gentrification and displacement.

The timing of parental unemployment and children's academic achievement.

In this study, I investigate the potential impact of parental unemployment on the academic achievement of children, with a particular focus on the child's age at the time of parental unemployment. While previous research has concentrated on isolated occurrences of unemployment, my study expands on this literature by examining the complete employment history of the parent over the child's life course and exploring how the effects of unemployment may vary based on similar past experiences. To achieve this, I combine population-wide data from the Danish administrative register with the results of mandatory Danish language tests administered in public schools since 2010 to determine whether parental unemployment affects academic performance at ages nine and fifteen. Using inverse probability treatment weighting of marginal structural models, I account for non-random unemployment occurrences and time-variant confounders that may partially mediate the effects of unemployment. My findings demonstrate that parental unemployment can have both persistent and immediate negative effects on children's academic achievement. Although no age period clearly emerges as especially sensitive to the impact of unemployment, the proximity of the unemployment event to the outcome measurement consistently results in a small negative effect on academic achievement. Additionally, the timing of unemployment appears to affect children's academic performance differently based on whether the mother or father experienced unemployment.

PERAN ORANG TUA DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRESTASI AKADEMIK ANAK: STUDI KUALITATIF TENTANG POLA ASUH DAN PEMBINAAN KELUARGA

This study aims to investigate the role of parents in improving children's academic achievement in Cimande Village. The family, as the smallest unit in society, has a significant responsibility in fostering a positive lifestyle for children, including resilience, strong personality traits, and a sense of responsibility. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing interviews with parents of elementary school-level children in Cimande Village. Purposive sampling was used to select research participants, considering variations in parenting styles and family development. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the collected data and identify emerging themes and patterns related to the role of parents in enhancing children's academic achievement. The findings indicate three key themes: the influence of good parenting practices and guidance on students' academic performance, the impact of parental attention to children's learning difficulties on their academic achievement, and the positive effect of active parental involvement in supporting their children's learning process. In conclusion, the research highlights the critical role of parents in enhancing children's academic achievement and their overall learning process. The family serves as an initial platform for laying the foundation and potential for children to comprehend essential concepts. The motivation and enthusiasm provided by parents have a positive impact on children's learning outcomes and foster their dedication to the learning process.

Pandangan Orang Tua terhadap Perilaku Anak Bermain Game Online Fifa Ultimate Team

This research is motivated by the views of parents seeing their children playing online games, especially FIFA Ultimate Team because there are many online and offline tournaments held in Surabaya. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of Surabaya parents towards the FIFA Ultimate Team online game. The research method uses a qualitative approach with a theoretical model by David Krech and Richard S. Cruthfield which is divided into two factors, namely functional and structural factors. Data collection techniques were carried out by in-depth interviews. The results of this study indicate several perceptions of parents who have different perspectives on the FIFA game. Then an opinion emerged stating that in the game FIFA has a player trading system with the aim of teaching children about economics and financial management. However, there are also parents who think that trading in the FIFA game is feared to interfere with their child's academic achievement.

Self-concept and academic achievement in children with chronic kidney disease.

Within the pediatric population, a positive self-concept is associated with better academic achievement. Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk for lower quality of life and academic underachievement. Little is known about self-concept among children with CKD and how self-concept influences academic achievement. The objectives of the present study were to (1) describe patient-reported self-concept among children with CKD and (2) evaluate the relationship between self-concept and academic performance. This cross-sectional study included 23 children, aged 6-16years, with mild to moderate CKD (cause of disease due to congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract) and 26 age-matched comparators. Participants completed the Self-Description Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT-4). Linear regression models were used to evaluate self-concept as a predictor of academic achievement in the CKD cohort. Self-concept ratings were comparable between children with CKD and non-CKD comparators; however, academic achievement trended lower for the CKD patients on measures of arithmetic (estimate = - 0.278, 95% confidence interval (CI) [- 0.530: - 0.026], t(45) = - 1.99, p = 0.053). All of the SDQ domains predicted WRAT-4 arithmetic performance, such that higher scores on the SDQ were associated with higher scores in mathematics. Kidney function did not have an effect on the relationship between self-concept and academic achievement. Despite the presence of a chronic disease, children with CKD endorse a positive self-concept. Positive self-concept may predict academic success in this population.

Cognitive Function and Academic Achievement in Children with Early Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

Cognitive Function and Academic Achievement in Children with Early Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

Parental Involvement in Palestine

This research study aims to find the relationships between parental involvement and achievements in math of Palestinian students in the fifth and ninth grades. The analysis is applied to data from 5,214 students in the fifth grade from 172 schools and 4,381 studentsin the ninth grade from 142 schools participating in national assessment testing in Palestine in 2018. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Pearson correlations, and intraclass correlations. The results show strong home-based parental involvement, with a higher degree of parental involvement for students in the fifth grade than those in the ninth grade. The analysis shows weak positive relationships between how parents control their children and children's academic achievement for both grades. There were no correlations between parental support and their children's achievement. There were correlations between schoolbased parental involvement and student achievement in math in the fifth and ninth grades. Children need parental support at home and at school; however, not all parents are able to provide that support. Many schools prefer to limit parental involvement since they prefer to manage without parental help.

Schooling experiences in children with long-gap esophageal atresia compared with children with esophageal atresia and primary anastomosis: a Swedish study

BackgroundChildren with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) risk living with aerodigestive morbidity and mental health difficulties. No previous study has investigated their experiences of schooling, despite the importance of schools in children’s development, learning and social relationships. We aimed to describe experiences of schooling in children with LGEA in Sweden in comparison with children with EA who had primary anastomosis.MethodChildren with LGEA aged 3–17 were recruited nationwide in Sweden. One parent completed a survey on their child’s school-based supports (according to definitions from the Swedish National Agency for Education), school absence, school satisfaction, school functioning (PedsQL 4.0), mental health (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) and current symptomatology. School data were compared between 26 children with LGEA to that from 95 children with EA who had PA, a hypothesized milder affected group. Mental health level was determined using validated norms; abnormal ≥ 90 percentile. Data were analyzed using descriptives, correlation and Mann–Whitney-U test. Significance level was p < 0.05.ResultsFormal school-based support was reported in 17 (65.4%) children with LGEA and concerned support with nutritional intake (60%), education (50%) and medical/special health needs (35%). The prevalence of school-based support was significantly higher compared to children with PA overall (36.8%, p = 0.013) and regarding nutritional intake support (20%, p < 0.001). In children with LGEA, school-based support was related to low birth weight (p = 0.036), young child age (p = 0.014), height ≤ −2SD for age/sex (p = 0.024) and an increased number of aerodigestive symptoms (p < 0.05). All children with LGEA who had abnormal mental health scores had school-based support, except for one child. Nine children with LGEA (36%) had school absence ≥ 1times/month the past year, more frequently because of colds/airway infections (p = 0.045) and GI-specific problems compared to PA (p = 0.003). School functioning scores were not significantly different from children with PA (p = 0.34) but correlated negatively with school-based support (< 0.001) and school absence (p = 0.002). One parent out of 26 reported their child’s school satisfaction as “not good”.ConclusionsChildren with LGEA commonly receive school-based support, reflecting multifaceted daily needs and disease severity. School absence is frequent and related to poorer school functioning. Future research focusing on academic achievement in children with EA is needed.

Hubungan riwayat sarapan pagi, tingkat kecukupan gizi makro dan status gizi dengan prestasi belajar anak di SD Inpres Lili Kabupaten Kupang

Breakfast is a very important mealtime, representing 15-25% of the total daily energy intake or 15-30% of the total daily nutrient intake to achieve a healthy, active, and intelligent life. Nutritional status has a significant influence on the level of intelligence and understanding of lessons in the classroom; if a child's nutritional status is insufficient or even poor, it affects the incompleteness of subject understanding and weakens learning outcomes. The purpose of this research is to analyze the history of breakfast, adequacy of macronutrients, and nutritional status with the academic achievement of children at Inpres Lili Elementary School, Kupang Regency. This type of research is an analytical observational study using a cross-sectional approach. The research sample was determined using purposive sampling method, which consisted of 137 students from Inpres Lili Elementary School, Kupang Regency. Statistical tests used were Chi-Square test and multiple logistic regression. Bivariate analysis results show a significant relationship between breakfast (p=0.000), level of macronutrient adequacy (p=0.000), and nutritional status (p=0.000) with academic achievement. Multivariate analysis results show that the history of breakfast, adequacy of macronutrients, and nutritional status are significantly related to academic achievement. Therefore, schools should implement routine nutritional and health monitoring programs and provide counseling or training on balanced nutritious food consumption.

A Classroom-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Literacy in Children: ALPHYL Study Protocol.

Physical literacy is crucial for children's appropriate development and physical, social and mental health. In a school setting, class-based physical activity (PA) interventions are considered to be appropriate programs to foster PA participation and cognitive development. The purpose of this project, named the Active Learning in PHYsical Literacy (ALPHYL) study, was to describe a multicomponent classroom-based physically-active learning randomised control trial (RCT) in primary school children. The main purpose was to promote children's physical literacy, academic achievement and cognitive function. The ALPHYL study is mainly based on physical literacy, active school models and the Supportive, Active, Autonomous, Fair and Enjoyable principles. The ALPHYL is an 8-10-week RCT to be conducted in six primary schools (12 classes) in Valencia (Spain) and its metropolitan area. Schools will be randomly assigned to the intervention or waiting-list control group. After a 30 h in-person training course for teachers and weekly meetings in the three months of resource preparation, the ALPHYL intervention will be conducted in physical education (PE) and non-PE lessons by teachers. The intervention consists of at least three daily sessions of physically active learning in addition to model-based PE teaching. Its feasibility will be evaluated weekly according to the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework. To assess its effectiveness, a pre-test, post-test and retention (8-10 weeks post-intervention) with primary outcomes (i.e., PA level, motor competence, perceived motor competence and PL, motivation, perceived social support, academic achievement and cognitive function), secondary outcomes and covariates will be collected.

Children's lived experience and perceptions of community members' influence on their schooling: a study in Uganda.

Global and national initiatives have successfully increased access to public education in low- and middle-income countries. However, many students in rural regions in these countries have high rates of absenteeism and drop-out, and low levels of academic engagement. Together, these significantly limit children's academic performance and achievement. One strategy that addresses these barriers seeks to engage members of the wider local community in schools. Most previous research focuses on adults' perspectives even though the potential benefit of community engagement is greatest when learners perceive it to be positive. Past research has also focused on community members structured engagement in activities within schools. This research provides a wider exploration of children's lived experience and perceptions concerning community members' influence on their schooling and learning. The aim was to gain a rich picture of how primary school students in rural Uganda perceive that community members' behavior helps or hinders their education. Qualitative data from students 10 to 13 years of age were collected through individual interviews that used the draw-and-talk technique (n = 20) and four focus group discussions. Seven broad categories of community members' actions were perceived to be positive (conflict resolution; supporting students' physical well-being; encouraging learning and positive behavior; reducing truancy; providing food and financial support; collective community work; and political representation). Four categories of community members' actions were perceived to have a negative influence (creating barriers to attending school; noise and other distractions; insecurity; and theft and vandalism). We conclude that carefully structured community involvement in schooling may improve the emotional and material support that facilitates students' continued school attendance and their motivation for learning. However, we also identify some limits on the role that local communities may be able to play in overcoming the challenges facing education in low- and middle-income countries.

Cherishing Immigrant Parents' Aspiration to Support Multilingual Children's Literacy Development Across Languages

AbstractAs children of immigrants are increasing in number across the U.S. classrooms, schools need to develop strategies to engage with immigrant families. Structural and attitudinal issues in the school system create challenges in communicating with immigrant parents. Immigrant parents have high expectations for their children's academic achievement because they view education can bring mobility and stability to their children's future. Immigrant parents also desire that their children continue developing their home language for familial communication and transnational engagement. To enhance the home‐school connections and to promote family engagement, teachers can first diligently communicate with parents. They can also learn about immigrant families' meaning‐making activities at home and in communities. Teachers can also advocate for children of immigrants' home language development.

Quantifying quality: The impact of measures of school quality on children's academic achievement across diverse societies.

Recent decades have seen a rapid acceleration in global participation in formal education, due to worldwide initiatives aimed to provide school access to all children. Research in high income countries has shown that school quality indicators have a significant, positive impact on numeracy and literacy-skills required to participate in the increasingly globalized economy. Schools vary enormously in kind, resources, and teacher training around the world, however, and the validity of using diverse school quality measures in populations with diverse educational profiles remains unclear. First, we assessed whether children's numeracy and literacy performance across populations improves with age, as evidence of general school-related learning effects. Next, we examined whether several school quality measures related to classroom experience and composition, and to educational resources, were correlated with one another. Finally, we examined whether they were associated with children's (4-12-year-olds, N=889) numeracy and literacy performance in 10 culturally and geographically diverse populations which vary in historical engagement with formal schooling. Across populations, age was a strong positive predictor of academic achievement. Measures related to classroom experience and composition were correlated with one another, as were measures of access to educational resources and classroom experience and composition. The number of teachers per class and access to writing materials were key predictors of numeracy and literacy, while the number of students per classroom, often linked to academic achievement, was not. We discuss these results in the context of maximising children's learning environments and highlight study limitations to motivate future research. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We examined the extent to which four measures of school quality were associated with one another, and whether they predicted children's academic achievement in 10 culturally and geographically diverse societies. Across populations, measures related to classroom experience and composition were correlated with one another as were measures of access to educational resources to classroom experience and composition. Age, the number of teachers per class, and access to writing materials were key predictors of academic achievement across populations. Our data have implications for designing efficacious educational initiatives to improve school quality globally.

Spanking and parental verbal aggression during early childhood: Association with later academic achievement and the mediating role of executive function

AbstractSpanking and parental verbal aggression are potentially toxic stressors that can negatively affect children's academic achievement by disrupting mental skills like executive function. Yet little empirical evidence has been provided for this mediating pathway. This study used data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten Cohort of 2010–2011 (n = 11,421) to examine the associations between early childhood exposure to spanking and parental verbal aggression and subsequent academic achievement. We also investigated the mechanism for these associations by exploring the mediating role of executive function within those associations. Findings revealed that spanking and parental verbal aggression in kindergarten and first grade were negatively associated with reading and math scores in fifth grade, controlling for demographics and initial academic performance. Executive function (i.e., inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility and working memory) accounted for more than half (50%–57%) and more than one fourth (24%–31%) of the total effects of spanking and verbal aggression on academic achievement, respectively. Findings provide important evidence for early intervention programs aiming to promote children's academic achievement and executive function by interfering or preventing harsh discipline.Highlights We examined the pathway from spanking and verbal aggression in early childhood to academic achievement in later school years through executive function. Path analysis results show executive function was a significant mediator in the negative associations between academic achievement in fifth grade and early exposure to spanking and aggression. Besides avoiding harsh parenting, intervention programs to support child academic achievement could also target promoting executive function development.

Pengaruh Pola Asuh Orang Tua terhadap Motivasi Belajar PAI Siswa Kelas III di SDN Kayumanis 01 Bogor

This study aims to analyze the effect of parenting style on learning motivation of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) in class III students at SDN Kayumanis 01 Bogor. The parenting style adopted by parents has an important role in shaping children's learning motivation in PAI. This study uses a quantitative approach to the survei method. The research sample consisted of 70 grade III students who were randomly selected. The instrument used in this study was a previously validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to measure parenting styles and students' motivation to learn PAI. The validity and reliability of the collected data were analyzed using normality, homogeneity and simple linear regression tests to determine the influence between parenting styles and students' motivation to learn PAI. The results of the study showed that there was a positive relationship between parenting style and the motivation to learn PAI for third grade students at SDN Kayumanis 01 Bogor. Parents who provide emotional support and give gifts according to children's academic achievements tend to have children who are more motivated in learning PAI. In addition, parenting styles that emphasize wise direction and control also have a positive effect on students' motivation to learn PAI. This research contributes to the understanding of the importance of parenting in shaping the motivation to learn PAI in class III students. The practical implication of this research is the important role of parents in supporting and encouraging children's motivation to learn PAI. Schools and teachers can also play a role in providing guidance to parents regarding parenting styles that are effective in increasing students' motivation to learn PAI.&#x0D; Keywords: Parenting Patterns, Learning Motivation, Islamic Religious Education

Learning English by Kindergarten Children in Saudi Arabia: A Mothers’ Perspective

In an era where the English language has become dominant in all fields and is the prevailing language worldwide, many Arab parents and intellectuals are wondering about the optimal age to start teaching their children English. Should they speak to their children in English at an early age? Should they enrol their children in a pre-school that teaches English only? What is the effect of teaching English to children in kindergarten on their learning of Arabic and their academic achievement in later stages? This study aimed to survey the opinions of a sample of mothers regarding the teaching of English to young children. The results of interviews with a sample of 300 mothers representing all segments of society showed that 70% of the mothers believe that the best age to teach children English is between four and five years old. 70% prefer to enrol their children in a kindergarten that teaches English, and 50% prefer to use a mix of English and Arabic languages when speaking with their children at home. About 70% believe that teaching English to children at an early age has no negative effect on their learning of Arabic simultaneously and has a positive effect on their academic achievement in later stages of education. The study also revealed some misconceptions among mothers about the optimal age for learning English, the effect of learning English on young children's Arabic language skills and academic achievement, and that the reason weakness of junior and senior high school students in English is due to not studying English at an early age. The researcher reviewed the results of previous studies on children and first and second language acquisition in several countries around the world acquiring a second foreign language alongside their mother tongue, the impact of learning a second language on their learning and acquisition of their mother tongue, academic achievement, and factors that lead to successful foreign language learning.

Parental intrusive homework support and math achievement: Does the child's mindset matter?

Prior research shows that when parents monitor, check, and assist in completing homework without an invitation, their children's motivation and academic achievement often decline. We propose that intrusive support from parents might also send the message that children are incompetent, especially if they believe their intelligence is fixed. We tested whether children's mindsets moderate the negative link between parents' intrusive homework support and achievement among first- and second-grade students followed for one academic year (Study 1, N = 563) and middle and high school students for two academic years (Study 2, N = 1,613). The samples were obtained from large urban areas in the United States. In both studies, intrusive homework support more strongly predicted a decrease in achievement over time for children with a fixed mindset. These findings suggest that the belief that intellectual ability cannot be changed may exacerbate the detrimental effects of uninvited help on academic work. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES: CAUSES AND IMPACT ON BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING OF CHILDREN IN NIGERIA

The adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, that children in Nigeria are exposed to have a significant influence on their behaviour and emotional health. This study investigates the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Nigeria and highlights the factors that contribute to their occurrence, such as poverty, socioeconomic inequality, and unhealthy family dynamics. The adverse impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on children's behavioural issues, such as aggression, impulsivity, and problems with self-regulation, are investigated, as are the consequences on children's academic achievement, their social relationships, and the dangers of engaging in dangerous behaviours. The study also focuses on potential interventions that can be used to reduce the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). These interventions include increasing awareness, increasing access to child-friendly mental health services, strengthening social support systems, implementing child protection laws, promoting parenting programs, and integrating trauma-informed care This paper recommends the urgent need for collaborative efforts and the prioritizing of children's well-being in order to build a caring environment where Nigerian children may thrive and overcome the problems associated with ACE.