School. The study will begin in October, 2009 and the participants will be 5-6 year old children, their parents and the afterschool educators.
b. A behaviour checklist will be completed by the educators for each child participating; the checklists of children's behaviour will be completed by the educators who know the children best. In this way we will see what type of activities would be more beneficial for each individual child taking part in the workshop.
c. A parent-child questionnaire form will be completed by the parents; it will consist of two hypothetical stories, and parents will check the appropriate boxes of how their child would react in those situations. In addition, parents will briefly describe how they would respond to their child in those hypothetical situations. In this way we will see what type of activities would be more beneficial for each individual child taking part in the
workshop.
d. Participating children will be interviewed individually by the researcher to see their perceptions about their behaviour and peer relations. Also, the children will respond to questions based on short stories and drawings to allow me to understand then-
understanding of emotions and empathy skills. These activities will take about 15 minutes to complete.
e. The workshop will begin on October 27, 2009 and end by December 1 7, 2009. It will be held for 8 weeks and will consist of 2 sessions per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:00-5:00 pm). Every session will have a different topic and will include games, activities, role-plays and crafts, so that children will discuss and practice social skills in an interactive and fun way.
f. Every week a poster will be given to the educators and they will be encouraged to
introduce it to the class to remind children what they learn in the workshop. In this way, educators could reinforce children's weekly learnt skills during the week. At the end of the study, educators will complete a short evaluation form to assess the use of the posters. g. Also, a take-home parent activity handout will be given to the children to bring home to
h. After the workshop (beginning of January, 2010), the children will be asked for a second interview with the researcher to ask their opinion about the program and if they believe it helped them develop their social skills. In addition short stories and drawings will be used to assess any changes in the children's emotional understanding, perspective-taking and empathy skills. These activities will last about 15 minutes. Also, another behaviour checklist will be completed by the student's educators for each child participating. i. At the end of the second child interviews, children will be given certificates of
participation in the social skills program to thank them for participating in the study. j. The study will end in mid-January.
The Behaviour Checklist is a form which includes different types of behaviours of the student during the afterschool program. The educator will evaluate children's behaviour individually by circling one of the 5 rating scales (e.g., almost never, seldom, sometimes, often, almost always). The form is very simple and quick to complete. This procedure will take place twice. The first evaluation will be at the beginning of the study before the workshop begins, and the second will be at the end of the study following the workshop sessions.
Participant's confidentiality and well being is very important in this study, and as such, participant's information and identity will be secured. This is a voluntary project and you will have the option to withdraw from the study at any time; however, your participation is crucial to assess the implementation of a new intervention program that may help children develop or improve social skills.
C. RISKSANDBENEFITS
The study does not foresee any risks to the participants. The children will be under the
supervision of the researcher at all times. Educators will not be distracted from their class as this checklist can be completed at any time and place as children's general behaviour from the beginning of the school year will be assessed.
There are many benefits to this study for children, as it gives them a chance to practice their social skills. Our main objective is to assess how this type of program helps children develop and improve their social skills. Your participation as an educator will be an asset and will further encourage the children to use newly learnt skills in the classroom setting.
D. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
• I understand that I am free to withdraw my consent and discontinue my participation at any time without negative consequences.
• I understand that my participation in this study is CONFIDENTIAL.
• I understand that the data from this study may be published (participant's identity will remain confidential).
report.
PLEASE RETURN THE FOLLOWING SECTION OF THE FORM TO THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM COORDINATOR BYOCTOBER, 16, 2009
I HAVE CAREFULLY STUDIED THE ABOVE AND UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT. I FREELY CONSENT AND VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY.
EDUCATOR'S NAME: SIGNATURE:
CONTACT NUMBER:
*ATTACHED YOU WILL FIND THE CHILD BEHAVIOUR CHECKLIST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.
*lfyou require to obtain a copy ofthe report on thefindingsfrom this study, please contact the
m khatc(â),education.concordia,ca or at (514) 290-2413
*In case ofdecision to withdrawfrom the study, you can contact:
Mariam Khatchadourian on (514) 290-2413 or at m [email protected] Harriet Petrakos on (5 1 4) 848-2424, ext. 20 1 3 or at [email protected] Belinda Magee on (514) 482-6086 or at rvehomeschool(a),vahoo.ca
*lfat any time you have questions about your rights as a research participant, please contact Adela Reid, Research Ethics and Compliance Officer, Concordia University, at (514) 848-2424
CHILD INTERVIEW 1