Grade Of Primary Education Research Articles

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy on Reducing Separation Anxiety in Boys in the First Grade of Primary School

Background: Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common disorders among children's behavioral problems, which leads to disruption in academic performance, social adjustment, family life, and peer relationships. Cognitive-behavioral play therapy (CBPT) is one of the appropriate treatment methods for correcting children's behavioral problems. It is designed for children aged three to eight. Objectives: Considering the importance of controlling separation anxiety in primary school children, the main aim of this research was to assess the effectiveness of CBPT in reducing SAD in boys in the first grade of primary education. Methods: A total of 30 primary school students with SAD were selected and then divided into the experimental group (15 students) and the control group (15 students) to conduct the present study. For the control group, no intervention was performed, but CBPT was done in ten sessions for the experimental group. The level of SAD was evaluated in both groups and then compared with each other before and after the intervention. In addition, the level of SAD in both groups was compared between the pre- and post-study stages to assess the effect of CBPT. The statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS software version 24 and using relevant tests at the significance level (α = 0.05). Results: The results showed that the average SAD score before the intervention was equal to 78.84 ± 1.26 for the control group and 78.66 ± 1.28 for the CBPT group. The statistical analysis revealed no significant distinction across these average levels (P = 0.975). After the intervention, the average SAD for the control and experimental groups was 77.50 ± 1.65 and 47.75±0.76, respectively, showing a significant difference between the two values (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the findings, CBPT can reduce SAD in primary school children. Therefore, psychologists and educational counselors of elementary school students can recommend using CBPT to treat some behavioral problems of elementary students.

Editor’s note: Foreign Language Education in Poland

The aim of this monograph is to acquaint and interest the reader with some of the vast array of issues concerning foreign language education in Poland. There are a few contextual historical factors which have had a great impact on the country's educational priorities in relation to foreign languages. Nowadays learning an L2 (usually English) is compulsory from the first grade of primary education. Current methodological trends in Poland are similar to general tendencies in Europe and contemporary research on foreign language education draws from different fields including sociolinguistics, neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, computer-oriented studies, and others.

Effectiveness Of a Psychoeducational Program for The Development of Social Skills in Children

Social skills play a fundamental role in the integral development of children, influencing their emotional well-being and future interpersonal relationships. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational program in the development of social skills in primary education students. The research approach was quantitative, the design was experimental and the type was pre-experimental. The sample was made of 35 students of the fifth grade of primary education from a state educational institution in the city of Puerto Maldonado (Peru). A psychoeducational program of social skills was applied during 15 sessions and to evaluate its effectiveness, a questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention, which had adequate psychometric properties. The results indicate that there are statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the general scores of the average before (138.69) and then (158.94) of the application of the psychoeducational program. Regarding the scores of the dimensions, statistically significant differences were also reported between the scores of the average before and after (p<0.05). It was concluded that the application of the psychoeducational program was effective in the development of the social skills of primary education students.

Improvement in simultaneous processing through metacognitive instruction

This study presents the improvement generated in simultaneous processing by the application of metacognitive instruction to 3rd grade primary education students. A pre-post-follow-up test design was used. The sample consisted of 30 students from one classroom. Two groups were formed; an intervention group comprising students in the classroom who presented difficulties in simultaneous processing, showing a cognitive weakness that compromises reading comprehension, and a comparison group comprising the rest of the students in the class. The instruments used were the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (DN CAS), Assessment of Reading Comprehension (ACL) test and the Reading Awareness Scale (ESCOLA). The groups were equivalent in socioeconomic and cultural status and in successive processing. Reading and study variables were used as differentiators: simultaneous processing and reading awareness. A metacognitive training program based on the Planning Facilitation method was applied to the intervention group. The comparison group followed the usual curricular activities of the classroom and for the education level, according to the traditional teaching model. The program was implemented in 48 sessions over 12 weeks. After the intervention, the group with weakness improved significantly in simultaneous processing and reading awareness; the comparison group did not show any change in their initial scores. The metacognitive instruction that facilitates discussion between students and reflective verbalization about reading tasks promotes improvement in reading awareness and in the simultaneous processing necessary for reading comprehension.

Violent behavior in primary education: Evolution from 9 to 12 years old as a function of gender

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to establish the frequency of violent behaviors present in primary education (PE), to determine differences based on students' grade and gender, and to assess the evolution of behaviors between the fourth and sixth grades of PE. The research design was a cohort longitudinal ex post facto study with three measures. Data was collected at three different moments across fourth, fifth, and sixth grades of PE. The sample was composed of all the students of three public centers located in three localities of Autonomous Community of Navarra (Northern Spain). The centers had to present similar characteristics to each other and to the population of Navarra. The first three centers contacted agreed to participate. The sample was composed of 236 students (110 girls) in PE. Students completed the instrument School Violence Questionnaire‐Revised. A descriptive analysis, a bivariate analysis, and a logistic regression model were performed. A gradual increase in the perception of different violent behaviors with differences between boys and girls was found. In fourth grade, there was hardly any perception of information and communication technology‐related violence; it then increased until sixth grade. Boys perceived more violence from teachers toward students and among peers. Girls perceived more violent behavior between fourth and fifth grade. Preventive interventions targeting digital violence should be developed at this stage. Considering the differences found according to gender and age, it is highlighted the need to train the educative community in different areas, such as emotional competencies, school coexistence, and the detection and prevention of violent behavior.

Computational Thinking with Scratch: A Tool to Work on Geometry in the Fifth Grade of Primary Education

To achieve the Fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of providing quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all 21st-century students, today it is essential to develop Computational Thinking skills. This article analyses the results obtained in an empirical experience in which Computational Thinking is used with Scratch educational software to address Geometry content in Primary Education. In many cases, this content is repetitive and has little practical application; therefore, using this resource as a learning tool allows us to propose a more dynamic, motivating, and effective approach for students. The experiment was carried out with a total of 66 students in the fifth year of Primary Education from 3 different schools using a non-equivalent control group design with substitute pre-test measures. In order to be able to carry out this work, the teachers involved first received initial training. Subsequently, the students carried out generic activities to familiarise themselves with the educational software and, finally, specific geometry activities. The results obtained show a more positive learning process among those students who worked with Scratch, highlighting the motivating and evidently practical aspect of this resource. These results serve to promote an approach to the teaching of Geometry in elementary education that goes beyond traditional boundaries, embracing student centricity and Computational Thinking as cornerstones. Additionally, the emphasis on Computational Thinking becomes a clarion call for educators to embrace innovative pedagogies that resonate with the evolving needs of 21st-century learners, and it should be considered an important element with a significant role in the Mathematics curriculum framework.

ANALYSIS OF QUALITY STANDARDS FOR DIDACTIC DESIGN OF TEXTBOOKS USING THE EXAMPLE OF A FABLE IN THIRD GRADE PRIMARY SCHOOL READERS

This paper analyzes quality standards for didactic design of textbooks, using the example of readers for the third grade, published by Klett, before and after curriculum changes resulting from the alteration of legal frameworks defined by the Regulation on the Curriculum for the Third Grade of Primary Education: 5/2019-6, 1/2020-1, 6/2020-1. By means of content analysis, the reader published by Klett and used in teaching until the 2020/21 school year will be analyzed, as well as the reader approved for use in accordance with the new recommendations, serving as a Serbian Language textbook in the Republic of Serbia from the 2020/21 school year. The analysis of the quality standards for didactic design of textbooks has been carried out according to the general quality standards for textbooks (Ivić et al., 2009) and legislative regulations (Law on Textbooks, Official Gazette RS, Educational Gazette 68/2015, 27/2018–13, and the Regulation on Quality Standards for Textbooks and Guidelines for Their Use, Official Gazette RS, Educational Gazette: 42/2016-11, 45/2018–40), which define the quality framework for textbooks and textbook sets. This analysis is conducted using the example of the fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” by Aesop, which is part of the curriculum. A comparative analysis of the realization of standards within the domain of didactic design will provide insight into the alignment of curriculum requirements and textbooks, both the previous and newly approved ones, using the fable as an example. Additionally, it will examine the encountered qualitative didactic adequacy of the reader as a component of the textbook set. This paper will highlight possibilities for enhancing the existing didactic-methodological apparatus that accompanies the fable, aiming to expedite the process of educational interpretation of the work.

Exploring the Impact of the Video Game Monité on Exogenous Factors and Resilience against Bullying in Primary Education Students

This study focuses on the issue of school bullying and explores the potential of video games as a tool to prevent and address this problem. To accomplish this, the video game Monité, specifically designed for the prevention of school bullying, was utilized, using the paradigm of digital game-based learning as an intervention methodology that emphasizes its educational and recreational potential. This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental approach, employing a pre-test and post-test design with a non-equivalent control group. The sample consisted of 92 boys and girls from fifth and sixth grade in primary education in the province of Cáceres, Spain. Data were collected through questionnaires from the System for the Evaluation of Children and Adolescents (SENA), which allowed for the gathering of information on peer problems, school problems and family issues. The results show that there are significant differences between the intervention group and the control group regarding problems external to individuals. In conclusion, this study investigates the use of the video game Monité as a tool to prevent school bullying and analyzes its impact on students’ perception of external agents such as family, peer group, and school. Our findings support its implementation in educational environments as an effective strategy.

Investigation of the readiness level of Syrian students having received preschool education and not having received preschool education for primary education

The current study aims to determine the readiness level of Syrian students having received and not having received pre-school education for primary education. To this end, on the basis of the main research question “What are the opinions of primary teachers about the readiness level of Syrian students having received and not having received pre-school education for primary education?”, their level of readiness was investigated in terms of their cognitive, physical, socio-emotional, language and self-care skills. The current study employed the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group is comprised of 15 primary teachers teaching first graders including Syrian students attending schools in the city of Şanlıurfa, which is located in the Southern Anatolian region of Turkey and where the Syrian population is intense. The participating teachers were selected by using the criterion sampling method. The data were collected through the semi-structured interview technique. In the analysis of the collected data, the content analysis method was used. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the Syrian students having received pre-school education are more ready for primary education in terms of their cognitive, physical, language, socio-emotional and self-care skills and that the Syrian students not having received pre-school education encounter many problems in the first grade of primary education.

Development of a Group Emergent Literacy Screening Tool

It is important to identify children who are struggling with emergent literacy skills as early as possible to provide them with the support they need to prevent future academic failure. Screening tools administered in groups are more cost-effective than those administered individually, but few are available in Portugal. The goal of this study was to explore the psychometric properties (difficulty, reliability, and validity) of a group emergent literacy screening test for Portuguese-speaking children. The test includes two phonological awareness tasks, one vocabulary task, and one concepts of print task. The sample comprised 1379 children from pre-K (n = 314), kindergarten (n = 579), and first grade of primary education (n = 486). Measures of emergent literacy, reading and writing skills, and academic achievement were used to test the validity of the screening test. The Rasch model results suggest that the tasks were suitably difficult for the kindergarten group, but had varying levels of difficulty for pre-K and first grade. Reliability was adequate for the tasks with an appropriate level of difficulty. Scores for the screening test were highly correlated with measures of literacy and with academic achievement. These findings suggest that the presented emergent literacy screening test is valid and reliable, making it a useful tool for practice and research.

Dietary and Physical Activity Habits as Conditioning Factors of Nutritional Status among Children of GENYAL Study.

Excess weight (EW) in children has become a severe public health problem. The present study aimed to describe the main lifestyle characteristics and their possible association with nutritional status in a group of schoolchildren enrolled in the GENYAL study, where 221 children in the first or second grade of primary education (6-9 years old) were included. Anthropometric (BMI and bioimpedance), dietary intake (twice-repeated 24 h food record), and physical activity (twice-repeated 24 h physical activity questionnaire) data were collected. Logistic and linear regressions, with p-values adjusted for multiple tests by Bonferroni's method and with sex and age as covariates, were applied. The prevalence of EW was 19%, 25.4%, and 32.2%, according to Orbegozo Foundation, IOFT, and WHO criteria, respectively. The results showed a significant association between schoolchildren's nutritional status and energy balance, defined as the ratio of estimated energy intake to estimated energy expenditure (%), (β = -1.49 (-1.9-1.07), p < 0.01) and KIDMED Mediterranean Diet Quality Index score (β = -0.19 (95% IC -0.38-0), p = 0.04), and between the availability of TV or other technological devices in their room and the child's BMI (β = 1.15 (95% IC 0.20-2.10), p = 0.017) and their fat mass (β = 3.28 (95% IC 0.69-5.87), p = 0.013). The number of dairy servings/day had a protective effect against EW (OR = 0.48 (0.29-0.75), p adjusted = 0.05)). Studying lifestyle factors associated with obesity is essential for developing tools and strategies for obesity prevention in children.

Is deep vocabulary a necessary ability in the reading comprehension in the first grades of Primary Education?

Is deep vocabulary a necessary ability in the reading comprehension in the first grades of Primary Education?

Challenges of Mother-Tongue Education in IsiZulu: A Case Study of Selected Schools in the uThungulu District of Kwazulu-Natal

The post-apartheid language policy of South Africa grants every child the right to study in their mother tongue. Despite this provision, mother-tongue education in indigenous languages has only been implemented in some schools in the country, and this has also been limited to the first three grades of primary education. While research has highlighted the challenges of mother-tongue education in South Africa, little attention has been given to the educators’ perceptions on the subject. It is for this reason that this study sought to investigate educators’ perspectives on the challenges of mother-tongue education in uThungulu District of KwaZulu-Natal. Using Biesta and Tedder’s ecological agency as a theoretical lens, the study adopted a multiple-case study research design to collect data from 30 educators in five schools using questionnaires. The results revealed that the implementation of mother-tongue instruction in uThungulu District was fraught with challenges such as ill-adapted terminology for mother-tongue teaching, negative attitudes from the community, lack of training for teaching in the mother tongue and lack of resources. The study is significant in shedding light on the role that educators as agents of the system can play in bringing about the successful implementation of mother-tongue education in South Africa.

The First Life Studies Curriculum in the History of the Turkish Republic and the Influence of John Dewey

In accordance with the interests of the country, in an integrated manner with the civilized world, existing institutions and practices have been modernized in the Republican era, in addition to laying the foundations of the institutions and practices in modern Turkey. Important revisions have also been made in the field of education while these foundations were being laid. One of these revisions was the abolition of the 1924 curriculum, which was previously prepared quickly, and was considered not to fully meet the needs of the country, as well as the replacement of the 1926 curriculum. This revision has undoubtedly brought about important changes with it. One of these changes is that a Life Studies course was included in the curriculum for the first time, as a separate pivotal course within the framework of John Dewey’s collective teaching approach. The purpose of this study was to examine the first Life Studies curriculum of the Turkish Republic in terms of goals, content, objectives, skills, values and attitudes. In this study, designed in the qualitative research design, the historical research method was preferred. The data of the study were gathered using document analysis and literature review. The findings obtained were considered to be a tool that would serve the purpose of the research and be analyzed through the descriptive analysis method. According to the results of the research, it was found that the Life Studies course is included in the curriculum as a pivotal course in the first three grades of primary education with an interdisciplinary approach. The content of the curriculum includes numerous objectives, such as learning by doing, field trips, decision-making, communicating, learning rules and preparing the child for life as an entrepreneur.

The patterns of active commuting to school change along the school-life in spanish youth

This study describes rates of active commuting to school (ACS) among Spanish school students and examines differences in ACS between different and consecutive educational levels, educational stages and school grades, within the Spanish educational system. Data were obtained from 28 cross-sectional studies conducted across Spain in 2010-2017. The analytical sample comprised 42,074 participants; namely, 5,327 children aged 3-5.99 years old (48% girls), 18,329 children aged 6-11.99 years old (50% girls) and 18,438 adolescents aged 12-18 years old (49% girls). Compared to pre-primary education, those in primary education (Odss ratio (OR)= 1.29, p < 0.01), compulsory secondary education (OR= 1.36, p < 0.01) and upper secondary education (OR= 1.38, p < 0.01) had higher odds of ACS. Additionally, compared to primary education, those in compulsory secondary education had higher odds of ACS (OR= 1.05, p < 0.01). Adolescents attending 1° grade of compulsory secondary education had higher odds of ACS than their counterparts attending to 6° grade of primary education (OR= 1.16, p < 0.05); no other associations between consecutive school grades within and between educational stages were found (all, p > 0.05). This study suggests significant shifts in ACS over the transition from pre-primary education to primary education and from primary education to compulsory secondary education. Educational and policy strategies are important to continue promoting active travel behaviors to school since the first educational stage in youth people.

Teaching English as a foreign language in multilingual milieus in Catalonia: perspectives and practices of educators in three state schools

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to explore how the teaching of English as a foreign language is planned in three plurilingual state schools in Catalonia. We carried out classroom observations (first and second grade of primary education) and interviewed the English teachers who teach these lessons and the headmasters of the three schools. The use of these qualitative methods to generate data allowed us to see what teachers say they do in the classroom, and what they really do. The results showed that although the three schools analysed work to make learners aware of their linguistic repertoires and foster their plurilingual competence, the English classroom is still seen as a monolingual space where students’ languages and the use of plurilingual strategies are not present. Similarly, we can state that the participating teachers do not prioritise plurilingual and intercultural education in the English classroom, as this is promoted in other school spaces. The findings have strong implications; namely, there is the need for foreign language teachers to encourage the use of students’ first languages in the classroom if we want to advance towards a plurilingual and intercultural education.

School Gardens: Initial Training of Future Primary School Teachers and Analysis of Proposals

This paper describes a training proposal for future teachers in the design, management, and use of school gardens as an educational resource. During the 2020/2021 academic year, future teachers in the 4th grade of Primary Education (last year of the University Degree) received theoretical-practical classes to develop teaching-learning activities in the area of Sciences that they implemented in a Primary school. This training proposal and the research activities designed and implemented in the school garden by future teachers were analysed using three criteria: curricular contents covered, competency richness and structure and content. From the training programme implemented, we highlight an increase in the motivation of students towards learning to use this resource; because it is learned “in situ” in the school garden, it is possible to carry out outdoor work, sharing natural resources through cooperative work and improving relationships. Regarding the design of activities proposed by the future teachers, there is a predominance of the use of observation and classification processes and a deficit of other scientific competences, which implies the need for greater specific initial training on school gardens.

THE EFFECT OF GAME-BASED LEARNING VIA KAHOOT AND QUIZIZZ ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THIRD GRADE PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

The application of student response systems could have a lesser effect on the science education of younger students compared to the effects achieved with older students in language and social science courses. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of the application of Kahoot and Quizizz on the academic achievement of third grade primary school students (9 years old) in a natural sciences course. A total of 113 third grade primary school students participated in this research. During the experimental phase which lasted 4 weeks, the participants were divided into three groups. Out of two experimental groups one group used Kahoot as a learning aid, while the other used Quizziz. The third group was the control group. At the beginning and at the end of the experimental phase, the participants were given an academic achievement test. The results of this research showed that the experimental group which used Kahoot for learning the content of the natural sciences course achieved significantly higher results in the post-test than the control group. There were no significant differences in the academic achievement of the group which used Quizizz and the other two groups. This result indicated that Kahoot could be used effectively as a learning aid in third grade primary education in the field of natural sciences. Keywords: game-based learning, Kahoot, Quizizz, primary education, pre-test-post-test research design, science education

Model of inquiry strategies for the development of critical and creative thinking in primary school students

The objective of this research was to develop a model of inquiry strategies for the development of critical and creative thinking in students of the sixth grade of primary education in Lajas, Chota (Peru). Twenty-three students participated who made up the study population and sample. The research carried out is of a direct and proactive descriptive level, with a mixed methodological approach. The instruments for data collection were developed based on the study variables with the Likert scale and were applied to students, teachers, directors, and parents. Thanks to the information obtained as a diagnosis, the starting point was obtained to elaborate the proposed model. The problem observed was that students and teachers had limitations concerning critical and creative thinking; this allowed the development of the proposed inquiry model, which was validated through expert judgment. Furthermore, it was concluded that the students had a low level of critical and creative thinking development, constituting one more reason to design the model.

Between identification and empathy to elaborate the difficult past: an experience of a classroom debate with Chilean children

ABSTRACT This article presents an analysis of historical thinking operations deployed in a student debate on Chile’s difficult past. A discussion was held in a public school during the second semester of 2019 on sensitive issues in recent history. Twenty-seven students between eleven and fourteen years of age participated in the activity, corresponding to the sixth grade of primary education. The results indicate that the students are active thinkers of past events through operations such as identification and historical empathy. According to the debate, these operations unfold through the categories of family affiliation and social class from which they identify and empathise with the actors of the past and the temporal relationship with their own experience. The article concludes with some insights about peace education in post-conflict societies where the past conflict remains in the present.