Improving Behavior With Preschool Consultation: A Pilot Study of the TOTS Model

Preschool children may exhibit a range of problematic behaviors that may impede development and disrupt classroom functioning. As a result, preschool children are often expelled from programs when behavioral issues cannot be adequately addressed. Preschool behavioral consultation serves as a promising alternative to expulsion, as consultants can provide teachers with the expertise and skills they need to manage current and future behavioral challenges. This article presents findings from a pilot study that examined the effect of a preschool behavioral consultation model in reducing inappropriate behaviors and improving prosocial skills in 35 preschoolers. A pretest-posttest design was used. Findings revealed significantly increased positive behaviors as rated by teachers and decreased teacher reports of behavior problems. Implications of these findings and the importance of behavioral consultation in the preschool setting are discussed.