MindMasters 2: A 3-Month Pilot Study Evaluating Grade 3 Children's Social and Emotional Skills. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos, Alexandre; Langill, Corrine
• Is Part Of: Canadian journal of school psychology. Volume 35:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: program evaluation -- self-regulation -- coping styles -- elementary school -- experimental; Educational psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Canada -- Periodicals; 370.15
• DOI: 10.1177/0829573519827209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0829-5735

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary effects of a curriculum resource on elementary school children's social and emotional skills. In total, 98 Grade 3 children were randomly allocated to either a control or experimental group and evaluated before and after a 3-month implementation period. Experimental group showed improved prosocial behaviors ( p < .01), concern for others ( p = .02), and emotional skills ( p < .01) over time, as well as improved relaxation levels ( p < .01) after partaking in relaxation activities. Compared with the control group, experimental group's emotional skills were significantly higher at posttest ( p < .01). No significant differences were observed for children's self-perceptions ( p > .05). Results from this study indicate that the curriculum resource may facilitate the development of children's social and emotional skills. A future definitive randomized-controlled trial should strive for a longer implementation period in response to small effect sizes, taking into account target population, sample size, and persistence of effects over the life span and in different environmental contexts.