Effects of preschool education in preparing children for the first grade in terms of linguistic and mathematical development

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the level of children's readiness forthe first grade, in terms of mathematical and linguistic development. This research is quantitative and includes 466 children who were enrolled in the first grade in September2011, as well as their parents. They belong to various schools in towns and villages of Kosovo. The sample was randomly selected. Children are assessed for their intellectual readiness separately in mathematical and linguistic development through standardized measuring instrument by the "Brainline" author Joey Du Plooy . The questionnaire wastranslated and adapted. In this paper it will be focused only mathematical and linguistic development of children who have just started the first grade. Children are evaluated bya team of pedagogs who have been previously trained in the use of this questionnaire.Each child is individually assessed and the questions that were impossible to take from the children are taken from their parents. The survey results raise awareness about theimportance of preschool institutionalized education and provide advices of the importanceof preparing children for starting the first grade without fear and with self-esteem.