Development of the preschool conflict resolution skills scale and evaluation of the effectiveness of the activity set

This study aims to assess and enhance conflict resolution skills in preschool children through the development and implementation of the "Preschool Conflict Resolution Skills Scale" and the "Conflict Resolution Skills Activity Set." The study consists of two phases. In the first phase, the scale development process was conducted, and validity and reliability analyses were performed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) on data collected from 269 children. The scale comprises three subdimensions: Coercion, Adaptation, and Withdrawal, with a total of 17 items. CFA results confirmed the factor structure and demonstrated high fit indices, indicating the scale's validity. In the second phase, an experimental study was conducted to test the effectiveness of the activity set in improving conflict resolution skills. The study included 68 children aged 54-72 months, who were randomly assigned to experimental (n=34) and control (n=34) groups. The experimental group participated in an eight-week program consisting of 17 structured activities, while the control group continued with the regular curriculum. Pretest, posttest, and retention test analyses showed significant improvements in the experimental group's conflict resolution skills, with positive changes in coercion, adaptation, and withdrawal strategies. No significant differences were observed in the control group. These findings indicate that structured conflict resolution activities have a positive impact on children's conflict resolution skills. This study contributes to the evaluation and promotion of conflict resolution skills in early childhood, emphasizing the importance of implementing structured conflict resolution programs in preschool education.