| Abstract [eng] |
Children start going to school in Lithuania from 7 years old, however it is possible to start in the younger age if only psychologists assess them as mature enough for school. It is unknown whether some differences exist between younger and older students during the first year of school, especially in time of the adaptation period. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyze the factors of the first grade pupils‘ adaptation in the school according to their age. The study involved: 129 pupils (69 girls (53.5%) and 60 boys (46.5%), children aged 6-7 years, average 6.97), 129 parents and 10 teachers. Pupils‘ adaptation was assessed with: 1. Child behavior questionnaire – a shortened version for parents; 2. The scale of the assessment of the child's functioning at school - a shortened version for parents; 3. Questionnaire - information about the child's environment; 4. Students‘ adaptation observation card for teachers; 5. Student-teacher relationship scale - shortened version; 6. Nominal scale for children. Longitudinal research was based on measurements performed twice a year: at the beginning and at the end of the school year. The results showed that: the social-emotional functioning and progress of all children are better at the end of the school year; at the end of the school year, the relation of teachers and six-year-old pupils were closer rather than seven-year-old pupils‘. In addition, compared with six-year-olds, parents have better evaluated the seven-year-old students‘ social-emotional functioning and their school performance. It also turned out that parent-teacher relationship can improve better adaptation of the child. |
