title: Kindergarten classroom functioning of extremely preterm/extremely low birth weight children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive, behavioral, and learning problems are evident in extremely preterm/extremely low birth weight (EPT/ELBW, <28 weeks gestational age or <1000 g) children by early school age. However, we know little about how they function within the classroom once they start school.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine how EPT/ELBW children function in kindergarten classrooms compared to termborn normal birth weight (NBW) classmates and identify factors related to difficulties in classroom functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2001-2003 birth cohort of 111 EPT/ELBW children and 110 NBW classmate controls were observed in regular kindergarten classrooms during a 1-hour instructional period using a time-sample method. The groups were compared on frequencies of individual teacher attention, competing or offtask behaviors, task management/preparation, and academic responding. Regression analysis was also conducted within the EPT/ELBW group to examine associations of these measures with neonatal and developmental risk factors, kindergarten neuropsychological and behavioral assessments, and classroom characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EPT/ELBW group received more individual teacher attention and was more often off-task than the NBW controls. Poorer classroom functioning in the EPT/ELBW group was associated with higher neonatal and developmental risk, poorer executive function skills, more negative teaching ratings of behavior and learning progress, and classroom characteristics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPT/ELBW children require more teacher support and are less able to engage in instructional activities than their NBW classmates. Associations of classroom functioning with developmental history and cognitive and behavioral traits suggest that these factors may be useful in identifying the children most in need of special educational interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.
authors.forename: Taylor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States. Electronic address: hgt2@case.edu.
authors.forename: H Gerry
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Education, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychology and of Special Education & Clinical Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States; Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Espy
authors.affiliation: Educational Consultant, Gates Mills, OH, United States.
authors.forename: Marcia G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Anselmo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.
authors.forename: Nori
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minich
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hack
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012574:Schools
keywords: Classroom observations; Early school age; Preterm birth