Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills [Paperback]

Ellen McGinnis (Author), Arnold P. Goldstein (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 087822372X | ISBN-13: 978-0878223725 | Publication Date: August 4, 1997 | Edition: Revised

This book shows how to teach 60 prosocial skills such as asking for help, saying thank you, accepting consequences, using self-control, and dealing with group pressure. Skill areas are divided into five groups: Classroom Survival Skills, Friendship-Making Skills, Dealing with Feelings, alternatives to Aggression, and Dealing with Stress.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Each lesson follows the same steps and thoroughly describes problem-solving steps for each skill....In addition, the Skillstreaming program stresses practicing skills outside the teaching sessions, encouraging group leaders and other staff to provide prompts, reinforcement, and feedback to students in a variety of settings. --Jennifer B. Ganz, Intervention in School and Clinic

An excellent guide for working with small groups and/or total classrooms on skills related to making the classroom a safe and secure place for optimum learning. --Jean V. Prosser, School Social Work Journal

The program is well-structured and easily adapted to student and teacher needs. Counselors and teachers are given a structured, but flexible plan for conducting a group of students in a positive learning experience. --Deborah R. Newman, Guidepost, American Counseling Association

About the Author

Ellen McGinnis, Ph.D., has experience as an educator in public schools at both elementary and secondary levels. She has been an educational consultant to public and hospital schools and was Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Dr. McGinnis also served with the Des Moines Public Schools as the director of special education and principal at Orchard Place, a residential and day treatment center for children and adolescents with emotional and behavior disorders. She is currently Executive Director of Student Support Services for the Adams 12 school district in Thornton, Colorado. Dr. McGinnis has written a number of books and numerous articles on identifying and treating youth with emotional and behavior disorders.

Arnold P. Goldstein, Ph.D. (1933-2002), was Professor of Psychology and Education at Syracuse University as well as Founder and Director of the Syracuse University Center for Research on Aggression. He authored over 60 books and more than 100 articles on aggression, prosocial skills training, and juvenile delinquency. He also served as Director of the New York State Task Force on Juvenile Gangs. Dr. Goldstein received many prestigious awards including the Career Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association's Commitee on Children, Youth, and Families; and the Senior Scientist Award from APA's School Psychology Division.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Research Press; Revised edition (August 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087822372X
• ISBN-13: 978-0878223725
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful resource, January 23, 2008

By 

Amy Doyle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills (Paperback)

Skillstreaming is a wonderful resource for any mental health professional who works with young children. The book addresses practical problems that professionals encounter in schools, clinics, and residential settings. I especially like the authors' emphasis on behaviorally-based intervention. I also like the fact that the authors encourage professionals to assess and monitor their interventions to determine their effectiveness. In short, I highly recommend this book as a resource for child psychologists, school psychologists, counselors, teachers, and others who work with children.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound theory and clear explanations for the school worker., December 7, 2001

By 

Bryan Castro (Williamsville, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child: Program Forms (Book and CD) (Spiral-bound)

I think this book, an update of the original which I have also read, gives clear and precise instructions for creating prosocial behavior groups and interventions. The principles behind the model espoused in this book are sound and effective. In the short time I have used this model in my groups, I have seen some slight but noticeable behavior changes in the students.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good ideas for lessons, April 23, 2008

By 

Sara C - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills (Paperback)

This is a very nice guide for teaching a large variety of social skills to elementary children. There is a bunch of information that I didn't really need, and I wish more of the book was dedicated to the "lessons", but overall it was very useful. The lessons are mainly short descriptions of each skill with ideas for instructing the skill. This cannot be used as a full lesson planner, but as a guide for developing classes/group sessions. Sold seperately, there are cards that go along with this guide, as well as a guide for younger children, both of which I would strongly recommend.