THE EFFECT OF SKILLSTREAMING® TRAINING ON PEER STATUS AND SOCIAL SKILLS IN PRESCHOOL

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of Skillstreaming training on peer status and social skills in preschool-age children. Participants were twelve (n =12) children, ages three and four, who regularly attended preschool in the Midwestern United States. The study examined the Skillstreaming approach as an intervention to improve social skills and peer status. Participants received training on seven skills over 14 days. Teachers and parents evaluated students using checklists. The checklists measured social skills before and after training. To evaluate peer status, students ranked their peers using a sociometric instrument. Researchers used a correlated samples design to determine significance. Results showed a statistically significant increase in social skills after training as measured by the Skillstreaming training checklist. After training, participants showed a statistically significant increase in peer status as measured by the sociometric instrument.