Evaluation of the Preventive Potential of the Technology for the Formation of Socially Significant Children Skills in the Skillful Сlass-Method ⁵³²

Programs and technologies for the prevention of social risks in the education system are concidered from the standpoint of an evidence-based approach. The article presents the results of approbation and analysis of the «Skillful class»-method effectiveness. This is a Russian adaptation of the Finnish Skilful Class solution-oriented program, which implements a creative and positive approach to teaching children with emotional and behavioral difficulties in the class / group. It was based on the Kids' Skills method of Ben Furman, his 15-step-program for developing children social skills. The technology has been tested at more than 20 regions platforms. Statistically significant indicators of the formation and dynamics of skills mastered by children were termed as well as other parameters that are significant for reducing risk factors of the deviant behavior. This method can serve as a tool for early prevention of social risks that appear in preschool and primary school age (school maladaptation, emotional and behavioral problems, deviations, ostracism, school bullying, conflicts).

Keywords: skillful class method, early prevention, deviant behavior, anti-bullying programs, Ben Furman's Kids' Skills method, social and emotional skills, self-regulation skills, primary school

Column: Juvenile Legal Psychology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2020100407

Funding. Research was conducted by the financial support of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education in the framework of the project «Tools of evidence-based approach to the analysis and evaluation of practices, programs and policies in the field of social risks prevention of childhood» and in the framework of the project «Approbation, adaptation and implementation of programs for early prevention of deviant behavior by forming social skills in children of preschool age and primary school pupils» (Agreement No. 249 of 20.11.2019 on providing the grant by Department of Education and Science of Moscow).

Acknowledgements. Authors express their gratitude for the cooperation to Helsinki Brief Therapy Institute heads, Ben Furman and Maiju Ahola, heads and specialists of 14 educational organizations that took the part in the program of the Skilful Class technology approbation, students-curators of the projects’ experimental platforms, and Student Scientific Community (SSC) of the Faculty of Legal and Forensic Psychology of MSUPE.