Preschool education is of vital importance not only for the cognitive and motor development of children but also for their social and emotional development. While pedagogical approaches like Montessori focus on children discovering their individual potentials, the development of skills such as social interaction and cooperation is also becoming an indispensable part of modern education. The doctoral thesis prepared by Gökhan Kayılı in 2015 examines the effect of the Montessori method supported by a social skills training program on the social skill levels of 60-72 month-old children.

The research was conducted with 60 children aged 60-72 months studying in an independent kindergarten in the city center of Konya. The children were divided into experimental and control groups of 30 each using a random assignment method. The experimental group was subjected to the Montessori method supported by the "Social Skills Training Program" for a total of 30 sessions, 3 days a week for 10 weeks. The control group, on the other hand, only continued with classical Montessori education. The "Social Skill Scale for Preschool Children" was used as the data collection tool.

The results of the research show that the children in the experimental group, where the Montessori method supported by the social skills training program was applied, had significantly higher social skill levels compared to the children in the control group. The children in the experimental group made significant progress, especially in the sub-dimensions of social skills: self-control, social participation, and peer relationship skills. These findings reveal that the Montessori method can effectively support not only children's cognitive and self-care skills but also their social and emotional development. The thesis emphasizes that the social skills program is also effective in reducing problem behaviors in children, such as shyness and aggression.

This study proves that combining the Montessori method with social skills training offers a more holistic approach to children's development. Therefore, it is recommended that Montessori education in preschool education programs be applied by being supported with special programs targeting the social and emotional development of children. Teachers receiving in-service training to increase their knowledge and skills on this subject will maximize the effectiveness of the program. In addition, raising parents' awareness about ways to support their children's social development will ensure that these skills gained at school are also reinforced in the home environment.

We thank Gökhan Kayılı for this valuable study. You can access the full thesis via www.tez.yok.gov.tr using the code 422538.