First Step to Success – a school/home intervention program for preventing problem behaviors in young children: examining the effectiveness and social validity in Turkey

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of the First Step to Success (FSS) early intervention program for preventing antisocial behavior in Turkey. Participants included 24 students, their teachers and parents from four K-8 elementary schools. The experimental group included 12 targeted students (four kindergarten, four first-grade and four secondgrade students) who received the intervention. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were carried out by using a pre-posttest experimental design. Results indicated that there were significant decreases in problem behaviors and significant increases in social skills and academic competence of targeted students. In addition, teachers and parents reported significant positive changes in problem behaviors and social skills of their children. Most teachers and parents were highly satisfied with the program. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.

A study on family opinions concerning services provided in special education centers

“…In another study, Kucuker, CeberBakkaloglu and Sucuoglu (2001) indicated that early education programmes regulated the interaction behaviours between mothers and fathers and their children. On the other hand, Diken, Batu and Kurtyilmaz (2010) pointed out that early childhood education programmes had positive impacts on preventing problematic behaviours. With regards to special education services in early childhood, McConnell (2000) indicated that screening systems for children took place in each state of the USA.…”

Views of Teachers, Parents, and Counselors toward the Preschool Version of First Step to Success Early Intervention Program (FSS-PSV) in Preventing Antisocial Behaviors

“…In Turkey, First Step to Success has been applied in kindergarten and primary school classes, and positive effects from the program on antisocial behaviors and social skills have been found (Çelik, 2012;Diken, Cavkaytar, Batu, Bozkurt, & Kurtyılmaz, 2010. Other studies in international and national literature have evaluated the efficiency of First Step to Success Early Intervention Program from various aspects .…”

“…In addition, there are studies that have found out the program's positive contributions to teachers (Blalock, 2008;Sprague & Perkins, 2009) and other students (Sprague & Perkins, 2009). Most of the studies that were reviewed were conducted through single subject (Beard & Sugai, 2004;Golly et al, 2000;Lien-Thorne & Kamps, 2005;Özdemir, 2011;Rodriguez, Sheldon, Loman, & Horner, 2009;Russell-Carter & Horner, 2007Sprague & Perkins, 2009) and experimental research designs Diken et al, 2010;Seeley et al, 2009;Sumi et al, 2012;Walker et al, 2009;Walker, Kavanagh, et al, 1998). However, a number of the studies using qualitative data collection techniques and describing the views of people who have a key role in the application of the program, including program counselors, teachers, and family, are limited (Diken & Rutherford, 2005;Overton, McKenzie, King, & Osborne, 2002).…”

“…The program was applied to children coming from different ethnic backgrounds (Diken & Rutherford, 2005); to diagnosed children (Özdemir, 2011;Seeley et al, 2009); and to twin students (Golly, Sprague, Walker, Beard, & Gorham, 2000). Studies investigating the efficiency of the program on different skills found out that the program improved academic skills (Sumi et al, 2012;Walker et al, 2009;Walker, Kavanagh, et al, 1998); social skills (Diken & Rutherford, 2004;Diken et al, 2010, Sumi et al, 2012Walker et al, 2009); and increased the participation duration in academic activities (LienThorne & Kamps, 2005;Russell-Carter & Horner, 2007). In addition, there are studies that have found out the program's positive contributions to teachers (Blalock, 2008;Sprague & Perkins, 2009) and other students (Sprague & Perkins, 2009).…”

Effectiveness of the Preschool Version of the First Step to Success Early Intervention Program for Preventing Antisocial Behaviors

“…Studies have revealed that the program was effective in terms of decreasing problem behaviors both at home and at school, and it caused positive behaviors and teacher attitudes in class. Moreover, participants were happy with the program (see Beard & Sugai, 2004;Carter & Horner, 2009;Diken & Rutherford, 2005;Diken, Cavkaytar, Batu, Bozkurt, & Kurtyılmaz, 2010;Diken, Cavkaytar, Batu, Bozkurt, & Kurtyılmaz, 2011;Diken, Bozkurt, Arıkan et al, 2011;Golly, Sprague, Walker, Beard, & Gorham, 2000;Rodriguez, Loman, & Horner, 2009;Russell, 2006;Seeley et al, 2009). …”