ERIC Number: EJ1168939
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Mar
Pages: 13
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1096-2506
EISSN: N/A
Social Competence and Young Children with Special Needs: Debunking "Mythconceptions"
Joseph, Jaclyn D.; Rausch, Alissa; Strain, Phillip S.
Young Exceptional Children, v21 n1 p48-60 Mar 2018
In the authors' experience, most early childhood and early childhood special educators are quick to endorse the importance of young children's social interactions with each other, particularly in inclusive settings. In this context, it is both ironic and deeply troubling that while giving lip service to peer social skill development, the data suggest that this is seldom a topic for systematic planning and instruction (Kwon, Elicker, & Kontos, 2011; Michnowicz, McConnell, Peterson, & Odom, 1995). Certainly, there are many reasons for this apparent contradiction between expressed concern and actual performance. In this article, the authors argue that one set of factors is the existence of several "mythconceptions" in the field. In their work with preschool inclusion settings, they often hear the following "mythconceptions" expressed by administrators, supervisors, and practitioners regarding the explicit teaching of peer-related social skills: (1) it is not on the test; (2) autonomy for some; (3) reinforcement as an afterthought; (4) clocking out too early; and (5) social skills in a box. Herein, they review each of these "mythconceptions," discuss their influence on practice, and then provide a set of alternative solutions, incorporating, as appropriate, a hypothetical vignette and specific Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Recommended Practices (Division for Early Childhood, 2014).
Descriptors: Interpersonal Competence, Young Children, Special Needs Students, Misconceptions, Preschool Children, Inclusion, Early Childhood Education, Tests, Personal Autonomy, Reinforcement, Accountability, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Vignettes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A