HKIER

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether a socio-emotional programme (Zippy’s Friends) had significant short-term effects on the children who participated in it, when compared with children in a control group who did not participate in the programme. Ten kindergartens were invited to participate in the study. There were totally 139 kindergarten children (5–6.25 years old) in the experimental group. The control group consisted of 128 kindergarten children (4.5–7 years old). Results show that the Zippy’s Friends Programme has significant short-term effects on helping kindergarten children to use more coping strategies to cope with everyday adversities. Teachers also found that the programme had changed their perceptions of children and improved classroom communication and has helped them to have a better understanding of children’s emotional needs.

Keywords: coping; stress; socio-emotional programme

摘要

本研究旨在探討一個社交情緒教育課程（「比比和朋友」）對兒童的短期影響。研究邀請了十所幼稚園參與此計劃。實驗組包括139名五至六歲的兒童。控制組包括128名同齡兒童。結果顯示「比比和朋友」課程能有效地幫助兒童發展應對逆境的能力。參與這計劃的老師表示這計劃改變了他們對兒童的看法，改善了課堂上師生之溝通，以及幫助他們更明白兒童的情緒需要。