NDLI: Effectiveness of second step program in fostering social-emotional skills in young children: a study in Japan

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Hosokawa, Rikuya Tomozawa, Riho Fujimoto, Megumi
Abstract	Background Interest in social-emotional skills in the context of school maladjustment is growing, and social-emotional learning can help develop such skills. Second Step is a social-emotional skills approach prevalent in several countries. In Asian countries, including Japan, preventive interventions for school maladjustment in young children are scarce, and their effectiveness is not adequately validated. This study examines the effectiveness of the social-emotional learning “Second Step program” among children aged 4 to 5 years. Methods In 2022, the Second Step program was implemented on a class-by-class basis for children aged 4 to 5 years enrolled in middle grades of a kindergarten in Japan. The program included 25 sessions, each lasting one hour on average, approximately once a week. To test the effectiveness of the program, kindergarten teachers assessed the children’s social skills. Parents assessed their children’s behaviors. Data of 73 children in the intervention group and 91 in the control group were analyzed. The intervention group participated in the Second Step program, while the control group did not participate in any program. Evaluations were conducted before and after the intervention program. Results Children in the intervention group displayed significantly greater assertiveness, self-control, and cooperation scores following program implementation compared with those in the control group. They also showed significantly lower scores on behavioral problems compared with those in the control group and before the program. The intervention had a meaningful impact on both social competencies and behavioral outcomes. Specifically, the effect sizes for social competencies in the intervention group were moderate to large, reflecting substantial improvements. Conclusions The social-emotional learning Second Step program implemented on a classroom basis may be effective in early childhood. An early approach targeting kindergarten-aged children is necessary to prevent school maladjustment.
Related Links	https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12887-025-05624-6.pdf
Ending Page	13
Page Count	13
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14712431
DOI	10.1186/s12887-025-05624-6
Journal	BMC Pediatrics
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	25
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2025-04-04
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Pediatrics Internal Medicine Second step Social-emotional skills Children Japan
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Journal Impact Factor	2/2023
5-Year Journal Impact Factor	2.4/2023

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Evaluating the effectiveness of a social and emotional learning program among preschool children in Japan: an experimental cohort study

Impact of a School Mental Health Program on Children's and Adolescents' Socio-Emotional Skills and Psychosocial Difficulties.

A Review of the Evidence on the Effects of Community-based Programs on Young People’s Social and Emotional Skills Development

Effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in children with Lyme neuroborreliosis - a retrospective study

Weight status and gender-related differences in motor skills and in child care - based physical activity in young children

Intensive training of motor function and functional skills among young children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The Baby Pediatric Symptom Checklist: Development and Initial Validation of a New Social/Emotional Screening Instrument for Very Young Children

A systematic review of the use and effectiveness of social media in child health

A family-based education program for obesity: a three-year study

Effectiveness of second step program in fostering social-emotional skills in young children: a study in Japan

Similar Documents

Evaluating the effectiveness of a social and emotional learning program among preschool children in Japan: an experimental cohort study

Impact of a School Mental Health Program on Children's and Adolescents' Socio-Emotional Skills and Psychosocial Difficulties.

A Review of the Evidence on the Effects of Community-based Programs on Young People’s Social and Emotional Skills Development

Effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in children with Lyme neuroborreliosis - a retrospective study

Weight status and gender-related differences in motor skills and in child care - based physical activity in young children

Intensive training of motor function and functional skills among young children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The Baby Pediatric Symptom Checklist: Development and Initial Validation of a New Social/Emotional Screening Instrument for Very Young Children

A systematic review of the use and effectiveness of social media in child health

A family-based education program for obesity: a three-year study

Effectiveness of second step program in fostering social-emotional skills in young children: a study in Japan