Achievement Gap for PA Skill in Hindi Speaking 5-6 years Old Children of Low Socio Economic Status in Central Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Phonological awareness (PA) skills during the early years are key predictors of literacy development. Among the many factors deleterious to PA development, socio economic status (SES) is cited as an important factor. This study aimed at assessing the PA skills in 5-6 years old Hindi speaking kindergarten children of low SES in Lucknow. Additionally, the relational aspects of gender and PA skills were also analysed. A test consisting of items at rhyming, word and syllable level was developed and standardised for 5-6 years old children. This test was administered to 5-6 years old children (n=96) with a mean age of 5years 7months and a mean SES score of 8.49 from two randomly selected private schools in the low SES neighbourhoods. Upon analysis, children of low SES were found to have deficient PA skill (mean =8.56) with no significant gender wise difference (p ≥.05). The deficits in PA skill of children belonging to low SES which make them vulnerable to develop reading difficulties in later school years. The knowledge of deficits helps in early identification of children at risk of reading difficulties and appropriate curriculum modification for effective transactional pedagogy.