Members of the ProKoulu and ProVaka group of researchers and experts participated in the 7th Research Symposium of the PBS-Europe Network, which was organised at the University of Oldenburg. Researchers and experts from more than ten countries came together to share research findings and experiences of developing and facilitating implementation of positive behaviour supports.
The event offered the opportunity to strengthen international collaboration and to contribute perspectives from the Finnish model of PBS – ProKoulu and ProVaka – to the conversation. Our group contributed with three presentations and with one poster, which are summarised below:
In the presentation delivered by Christina Sjöström, Annika Borgström and Henrik Husberg, the experiences of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) staff, who delivered a behavioural intervention were explored (additional contributors to this research were Noora Heiskanen and Mika Paananen). In their paper, the various roles and responsibilities, as described by the participating consultants and consultees were illustrated, together with the development of professional skills evident in the consultees. Overall, findings indicated that participant experiences of the intervention were positive and that it was perceived as being effective at facilitating behavioural change.
Anne Karhu and Mika Paananen presented findings from the Lintu-project, specifically results of an implementation of the CICO model in ECEC (additional contributors to this research were Meri Liimatainen, Asko Tolvanen and Henrik Husberg). The central finding of this research was that the CICO-intervention facilitated positive changes in the behaviour of children. Additionally, ECEC staff experienced the intervention as usable and its implementation as feasible. The results indicate that CICO-style systematic and individual behavioural support may be a usefully offered as part of the activities of ECEC.
Doctoral researcher Emmi Pelkonen, from the InterLearn Centre of Excellence at the University of Jyväskylä, presented preliminary findings on the construct validity of the classroom behavioural climate (CBC) scale, which has been development in Finland and applied as part of ProKoulu. The results indicated that the CBC scale is apt for measuring CBC in grades 2-6 (with children aged 8 to 12 years), both when examining individual perceptions of CBC, and for measuring CBC on a classroom level. Finer analyses are still required to support the reliable and functional application of the scale, such as for assessing CBC grade-specifically.
In Vesa Närhi’s poster presentation, the key findings of an intervention including supplementary training for in-service teachers to improve classroom behavioural climate (CBC) were presented. As part of the training, classroom teachers were facilitated in planning and implementing evidence-based strategies for supporting CBC. Results indicated that pupils’ concentration on learning improved and that disruptive behaviour was reduced during the intervention. These effects persisted three weeks post-intervention. This presentation was based on the article manuscript by Pilvi Peura and colleagues.
