EXAMINING THE PERMANENCE OF THE EFFECT OF A SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE ACQUISITION OF SOCIAL PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

The aim of this study was to investigate the permanence of the effect of a social skills training program for children in increasing skills relating to solving social problems and understanding others' feelings during the preschool period (children aged 6 years). A total of 55 children took part in the research (35 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group). A social skills training program was taught to the children in the experimental group for 2 hours a week over 22 weeks and it was found that it significantly affected their social problem-solving skills and understanding of others' feelings. Results of posttest scores of the children and their scores after I year indicated that the Social Skills Training Program for Children maintains its effects.