Investigation of social competency and peer bullying in 3-6 years old children according to the strategies used by teachers against undesired behavior

In this study, it was aimed to examine the social competence and peer bullying levels of children attending preschool education according to the strategies used by preschool teachers against unwanted behaviours in classroom management. Correlational research model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the study. The sample of the study consisted of 529 preschool children between the ages of 3 and 6, who were educated in state-affiliated preschool institutions, and 41 teachers working in these institutions. Personal information form prepared by the researcher, Social Competence and Behaviour Assessment-30 Scale, Preschool Peer Bullying Scale Teacher Form and Scale for Determining the Strategies Used by Preschool Teachers Against Undesirable Behaviours in Classroom Management were used as data collection tools. The results of the study showed that girls had higher social competence scores than boys, there was a moderate negative relationship between verbal bullying scores observed by preschool teachers and reality therapy model, which is one of the discipline strategies used by preschool teachers against unwanted behaviours, and there was a moderate positive relationship between verbal bullying scores and anger-aggression, one of the sub-dimensions of social competence, There was a moderate negative relationship between the reality therapy model and the social discipline model among the discipline strategies used by preschool teachers against undesirable behaviours, a moderate positive relationship between the trusting model and the teacher effectiveness and Kounin model among the discipline strategies used by preschool teachers against undesirable behaviours, and a moderate positive relationship between the teacher effectiveness model, Kaonin model and behaviour modification model among the discipline strategies used by preschool teachers against undesirable behaviours. The results were discussed in terms of the related literature and suggestions were given.