Play-based parent training programme supporting Hong Kong kindergarten children in social competence development

Abstract

ABSTRACT It is vital to foster children’s ability to cooperate with others, communicate effectively, and exercise self-control. These competencies represent a set of transferrable skills required in many aspects of daily life and along any career path. In Hong Kong, a play-based training programme was launched to support parents to target these areas of social competence. The programme taught 414 parents to use group games that foster social skills development in children aged 4–5 years. Parents completed culturally-appropriate questionnaires before the programme started, one week after the programme ended, and three months after the programme ended. Paired sample t-test analyses revealed significant improvements in children’s social skills. Implications for using play-based social learning experiences are discussed.