Teachers’ perceptions of using peer-mediated instruction and intervention for supporting children’s social skills and play between children in inclusive preschools

Abstract

Enabling peer play for preschool children with low social skills requires targeted measures for their social development and learning and interactions between them and their peers. Play Time/Social Time (PT/ST) is a peer-mediated instruction and intervention (PMII) with that purpose. This case study explored how four preschool teachers perceived the opportunities and obstacles of PT/ST, and how PMII compared to their current practices in inclusive Swedish preschools. Multiple data were collected: an intervention rating profile (IRP), audio-recorded coaching sessions, logbooks, checklists, and a group interview. The IRP revealed that the teachers rated PT/ST as highly feasible. Through qualitative analysis, we interpreted three themes demonstrating their perceptions: Special educational situations, Conditions for applications, and Professional reflections and learning. Concerning opportunities, the teachers perceived that PT/ST contributed to social skills progress and increased peer play for the target children. They also perceived that PT/ST contributed to their current practices when used regularly and responsively by clarifying learning content, procedures, and goals for social skills and play. Obstacles to PT/ST reflected situational thresholds for simultaneous play between the target children and peers and organisational conditions that complicated applications of PT/ST. Implications for inclusive preschool practice and research are discussed.