Construction of a methodology for assessing the importance of soft skills in early intervention in infancy

Main Article Content

Leonor Vaz
Vítor Franco
Sandrina Leal

Abstract

Soft skills are non-technical skills that influence job success. Its importance is increasingly highlighted in the organizational world, as they contribute significantly to the good performance and the professional development. There is, however, a gap with regard to its study in professions that involve a helping relationship, as in the case of Early Intervention in Infancy (IPI) implemented in a family centered perspective by multiprofessional teams. This study aims to build a questionnaire that allows assessing the importance of soft skills for IPI professionals, as well as realizing their mastery over these skills and their use in professional practice. The questionnaire was built from a wide list of soft skills referred to in scientific literature, being called experts to assess the clarity of the concept and its relevance for the practice of IPI. The study had the participation of 8 portuguese specialists. In general, soft skills obtained high percentages in both criteria, however, three competencies were excluded from the initial list, one added and twelve were reviewed, resulting in a total of 48 items in the final questionnaire. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Vaz, L., Franco, V., & Leal, S. (2022). Construction of a methodology for assessing the importance of soft skills in early intervention in infancy. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology. Revista INFAD De Psicología., 1(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2022.n1.v1.2307
Section
Articles
Author Biographies

Leonor Vaz, CIEP - Universidade de Évora

CIEP - Universidade de Évora

Vítor Franco, CIEP – Universidade de Évora

CIEP – Universidade de Évora

Sandrina Leal, ISDOM

ISDOM

References

Almeida, I. C. (2004). Intervenção precoce: Focada na criança ou centrada na família e na comunidade? Análise Psicológica, 22(1), 65-72.

Boer, C., & Coady, N. (2007). Good helping relationships in child welfare: learning from stories of sucess. Child and Family Social Work, 12, 32-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1365- 2206.2006.00438.x

Carbone, P. P., Brandão, H. P., & Leite, J. B. D. (2009). Gestão por Competências e Gestão do Conhecimento (3ªed.). Rio de Janeiro: FGV.

Carvalho, L., Almeida, I., Felgueiras, I., Leitão., S., Boavida, J., Santos., P. C., … Franco, V. (2016). Práticas recomendadas em intervenção precoce na infância: Um guia para profissionais. Coimbra: ANIP.

Ceitil, M. (2016). Gestão e Desenvolvimento de Competências (2ª ed.). Lisboa: Edições Sílabo, Lda.

Coogle, C. G., Guerette, A. R., & Hanline, M. F. (2013). Early Intervention Experiences of Families of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Pilot Study. Early Childhood Research & Practice, 15(1). Consultado em https://ecrp.illinois.edu/v15n1/recchia.html.

Drake, B. (1994) Relationship competencies in child welfare services. Social Work, 39, 595–602. doi:10.1093/sw/39.5.595

Dunst, C. J. (1998). Corresponsabilização e Práticas de Ajuda que se Revelam Eficazes no Trabalho com Famílias. In L. M. Correia & A. M. Serrano (Eds). Envolvimento Parental em Intervenção Precoce: Das Práticas Centradas na Criança às Práticas Centradas na Família (pp. 123-138). Porto: Porto Editora

Dunst, C. J., Trivette, C. M. Davis, M. & Cornwell, J. (1994). Characteristics of effective helpgiving practices. In C. J. Dunst, C. M. Trivette, & A. G. Deal, (Eds), Supporting and strengthening families – Methods, strategies and practices (171-186). Cambridge: Brookline Books.

Estrela, M. (2010). Profissão Docente – Dimensões Afectivas e Éticas. Coleção Saberes Plurais. Porto: Areal Editores.

Fordham, L., Gibson, F., & Bowes, J. (2011). Information and professional support: key factors in the provision of family-centred early childhood intervention services. Child: care, health and development, 38(5), 647–653. doi:10.1111/j.1365- 2214.2011.01324.x

Hurrell, S. A., Scholarios, D., & Thompson, P. (2013). More than a ‘humpty dumpty’ term: Strengthening the conceptualization of soft skills. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 34(1), 161-182.

Lambert, M.J. & Ogles, B.M. (2004) The efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy. In M. J. Lambert (Ed.), Bergin and Garfield’s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change, (pp. 139–193). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Lee, C. D., & Ayón, C. (2004). Is the Client-Worker Relationship Associated with Better Outcomes in Mandated Child Abuse Cases?. Research on Social Work Practice, 14(5), 351–357. doi:10.1177/1049731504265833

Matos, S., & Pereira, A. (2011). O perfil de competências do profissional de Intervenção Precoce: contributos e perspetivas dos profissionais. CIEd – Textos em volumes de atas de encontros científicos nacionais e internacionais.

Milheiriço, A., & Seixas, S. R. (2016). Humanitude em Intervenção Precoce na Infância. Interações, 12(41), 12-27.

Orlinsky, D. E., Ronnestad, M. H. & Willutzki, U. (2004) Fifty years of psychotherapy process-outcome research: continuity and change. In M. J. Lambert (Ed.), Bergin and Garfield’s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change, (pp. 307-389). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Pighini, M. J., Goelman, H., Buchanan, M., Schonert-Reichl, K., & Brynelsen, D. (2014). Learning from parents’ stories about what works in early intervention. International Journal of Psychology, 49(4), 263–270. doi:10.1002/ijop.12024

Pimentel, J. (2005). Intervenção focada na família: Desejo ou realidade: Percepções de pais e profissionais sobre as práticas de apoio precoce a crianças com necessidades educativas especiais e suas famílias. Lisboa: Secretariado Nacional para a Reabilitação e Integração das Pessoas com Deficiência.

Swiatkiewicz, O. (2014). Competências transversais, técnicas ou morais: um estudo exploratório sobre as competências dos trabalhadores que as organizações em Portugal mais valorizam. Cadernos EBAPE.BR, 12(3), 663-687.

Teixeira, A. P. P., & Luz, A. S. (2014). A importância das competências organizacionais: uma análise da perceção de gestores. Diálogo, Canoas, 26, 111-120.

Zheng, Y., Maude, S. P., Brotherson, M. J., & Merrtitts, A. (2016). Early Childhood Intervention in China from the Families’ Perspective. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 63(4), 431-449. doi:10.1080/1034912X.2015.1124988.

Ziviani, J., Darlington, Y., Feeney, R., Rodger, S., & Watter, P. (2014). Early intervention services of children with physical disabilities: Complexity of child and family needs. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 61(2), 67–75. doi: 10.1111/1440- 1630.12059.