ERIC Number: EJ923982
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
Closing the Summer Learning Gap for Vulnerable Learners: An Exploratory Study of a Summer Literacy Programme for Kindergarten Children At-Risk for Reading Difficulties
Graham, Ashley; McNamara, John K.; Van Lankveld, Jackie
Early Child Development and Care, v181 n5 p575-585 2011
School summer vacation may create a significant gap in the learning cycle. Such a gap may be particularly detrimental for vulnerable children such as those with lower academic achievement due to learning and language disabilities, lower socio-economic environments or learning in a language other than their native language. The current exploratory study investigated the efficacy of a summer family literacy programme on the reading achievement of 14 four-year-old children completing their pre-kindergarten year. All participating children were identified by their classroom teacher and a subsequent reading assessment to be at-risk for reading difficulties. Children and one of their primary caregivers participated in a five-week summer literacy programme. The programme consisted of literacy-based activities for both children and caregivers. The results of the study indicated that children demonstrated significant gains in all aspects of literacy, thus reversing the summer learning loss expectancy. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Reading Difficulties, Summer Programs, Language Impairments, Reading Achievement, Learning Processes, Kindergarten, Family Literacy, At Risk Students, Learning Activities, Achievement Gains, Emergent Literacy, Foreign Countries, Pretests Posttests, Child Caregivers
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Kindergarten
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A