ERIC Number: ED415638
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1997
Teaching Buddy Skills to Preschoolers.
English, Kris; Shafer, Karin; Goldstein, Howard; Kaczmarek, Louise
Innovations: American Association on Mental Retardation, Research to Practice Series, n9 1997
This manual describes the buddy skills training program, which provides teachers with a set of tested strategies designed to facilitate interactions and support the development of friendships between preschoolers with and without disabilities. The training procedures are philosophically based on social exchange theory. To support the concept of positive reciprocity and a shared responsibility for the developing relationship, buddy skills are taught to both members of a buddy pair. Features of the program include: (1) peer sensitization, designed to promote positive attitudes as well as prosocial behavior; (2) a versatile, across-the-day application, providing increased opportunities for interactions to occur and relationships to develop; (3) developmentally appropriate strategies that place a low demand on children; and (4) minimal use of adult prompting. In addition, training procedures take place within the regular curriculum, and because of the across-the-day implementation, there is less need to program for generalization. The manual provides an overview of the training sequence and describes the steps of the program. For each step, teachers are provided objectives, rationale, strategies, and a self-check. Sample forms for evaluating student progress and a case study of a 4-year-old with Down syndrome are also provided. (Contains 26 references.) (CR)
Descriptors: Case Studies, Disabilities, Friendship, Inclusive Schools, Instructional Design, Interpersonal Communication, Interpersonal Competence, Mainstreaming, Peer Acceptance, Peer Relationship, Preschool Children, Preschool Education, Program Development, Social Development, Teaching Methods
American Association on Mental Retardation, 444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 846, Washington, DC 20001-1512.
Publication Type: Collected Works - Serials; Guides - Classroom - Teacher
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners; Teachers
Sponsor: Department of Education, Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: American Association on Mental Retardation, Washington, DC.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A