Zeitschrift fur Padagogische Psychologie
Volume 25, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 115-130

The impact of background of migration, kindergarten attendance, and the composition of the kindergarten group on linguistic performance at preschool age [die Bedeutung des Migrationshintergrunds, des Kindergartenbesuchs sowie der Zusammensetzung der Kindergartengruppe für sprachliche Leistungen von Vorschulkindern] (Article)

Niklas F.* , Schmiedeler S. , Pröstler N. , Schneider W.
  • a Psychologie IV, Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 10, DE-97070 Würzburg, Germany
  • b Psychologie IV, Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 10, DE-97070 Würzburg, Germany
  • c Fordham University, New York, United States
  • d Psychologie IV, Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 10, DE-97070 Würzburg, Germany

Abstract

The ability to communicate in German is a necessary prerequisite for a successful school career in Germany. Thus this study focuses on the language competencies of preschool children with background of migration, and compares their abilities to those of native German children. Moreover the significance of moderating factors as the composition of the kindergarten group is analysed. We assessed 794 kindergarten children in their year before last of kindergarten with a mean age of 4;10 years. Results showed that even one and a half years before entering school children from immigrated families performed worse than their native German peers in measures of language competence, phonological awareness, and rapid naming. Especially children whose mother and father were born outside Germany were disadvantaged. The composition of the respective kindergarten group significantly influenced language performance in addition to the individual variables, and significant interactions between individual and compositional factors could be found. The duration of kindergarten attendance corresponded with language competence, phonological awareness and auditory working memory of the children. © 2011 Verlag Hans Huber, Hogrefe AG, Bern.

Author Keywords

Kindergarten attendance Project 〈Schoolready child〉 Preschool children Effects of composition Migration background

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79956159650&doi=10.1024%2f1010-0652%2fa000032&partnerID=40&md5=228b3ed58850587c931bb5ccf8bb6d08
DOI: 10.1024/1010-0652/a000032
ISSN: 10100652
Cited by: 32
Original Language: German