title: A teacher-consultation approach to social skills training for pre-kindergarten children: treatment model and short-term outcome effects.
abstract: This study evaluated the post-treatment outcome effects of a classroom-based social skills program for pre-kindergarten children, using a teacher-consultation model. The pre-K RECAP (Reaching Educators, Children, and Parents) program is a semi-structured, cognitive-behavioral skills training program that provides teachers with in-classroom consultation on program implementation and classroom-wide behavior management. Data on children's social skills and behavior problems were collected from parents and teachers at pre- and post-treatment, for 149 children aged 4-5 years (of whom 56% were girls). Significant treatment effects were found for teacher but not parent reports, with treatment group children improving significantly more than comparison group children in their teacher-rated social skills and internalizing and externalizing problems. These results provide some preliminary support for the efficacy of the program on children's social skills and behavior problems, and for a teacher-consultation model for training teachers to implement school-based mental health programs.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Public Policy Studies, Vanderbilt University, 1207 18th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. susan.han@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Susan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Catron
authors.forename: Bahr
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Kristen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Marciel
mesh_terms: D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods*; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012572:School Health Services; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012951:Socialization; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome