Teaching of social interaction skills in children with risk of social exclusion

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a program of social interaction skills in a group of children ( aged between 5 7 years of age), with risk of social exclusion, who are living in a foster care. An evaluation of social interaction skills in the oldest children (aged 5 and 7 years) was conducted before the program was implemented, and the children who showed urgently needed improve these skills received the intervention. Participants were evaluated by direct observation in the children 's natural environment and interviews to the center educators about each child, their life history and their evolution in the center. As the program progressed, the scores of children in each of the skills trained on the program were recorded to assess their progress. Upon completion of the intervention, the posttest evaluation was completed to determine the treatment effects. All participants improved substantially in all social interaction skills, so it is concluded that the program was effective for its purpose.