Promoting Social and Emotional Competencies among Young Children in Croatia with Preschool PATHS.

Abstract

Preschool PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) is an evidence-based
\nuniversal prevention program focused on promoting children’s social and emotional
\ncompetencies and reducing the likelihood of behaviour problems and negative
\nrelationships with peers and teachers. This paper examines changes in the social and
\nemotional competencies of the first children to participate in Preschool PATHS in
\nCroatia. This study included 164 children, ages 3-6, in 12 preschool classrooms in three
\ncities across Croatia, who participated in the classroom-based Preschool PATHS
\ncurriculum. At the beginning and end of the preschool year, teachers completed well validated and reliable assessments of social and emotional competencies on each child.
\nHierarchical linear models revealed statistically significant and substantial improvements
\nin prosocial behaviour, emotion regulation, emotion symptoms, peer problems, relational
\naggression, conduct problems, and hyperactive-impulsive behaviour. Study findings
\nreveal significant changes in children’s social and emotional competencies during
\npreschool. This time may present a unique opportunity to buttress children’s skills and
\nimprove long-term school success through the implementation of a rigorous empirically validated prevention program such as Preschool PATHS.