Die samestelling en evaluering van 'n emosionele en sosiale bevoegdheidsprogram vir gr. 0-leerders

Abstract

The general aim of this study was to determine the effect of an emotional and social competency development programme on emotional and social competence, as well as certain aspects of general development of a group of Gr, 0 learners. The study population consisted of 48 learners from different ethnic groups and languages who were divided randomly according to strata into an experimental and control group. Three measuring instruments were used, namely the Behavioural en Emotional Rating Scale (BERS); Social Competence and Behavioural Evaluation, Preschool Edition (SCBE) and the Griffiths Developmental Scales - Extended Revised (GMDS-ER). After permission for participation in the project was obtained from the parents, participants were tested. The parents completed the BERS and the teachers completed the SCBE, while a team of trained GMDS-ER users tested the learners. The participants were divided into an experimental and control group, and the experimental group attended the programme. The programme was presented over ten weeks in class time, and included components of emotional and social competence. The reliability of the measuring instruments was satisfactory in the South African context, but validity could not be determined because of the small study population. Participants had above average scores on the scales that represent emotional competence, except for interpersonal strength and school functioning, which indicates areas for development. Excellent scores were obtained on all the subscales for social competence. The effect of the programme was visible in the practical significance of medium to large effect between the control and experimental groups after completion of the programme on internalization of problems and social competence (scales of SCBE) and practical reasoning (scale F on GMDS-ER). Limitations of the current study were the small study population and that more attention should be given on co-operation with parents and teachers to ensure transfer of information from the school to the home.