The Effectiveness of the GATHER Play Module on Children’s Social Skills Learning in Early Childhood Education

This study examined the effectiveness of the GATHER Play Module in enhancing preschool children’s social skills through a qualitative-dominant mixed-method design. Fifty children aged 5–6 were assigned to experimental and control groups, with social skill development assessed across five domains: social emotion, conflict resolution, language expression, cooperation and sharing, and inclusive group play. Quantitative results from pre- and post-intervention checklists demonstrated significant improvements for the experimental group, with exceptionally large effect sizes across all domains, while the control group showed minimal change. Qualitative insights from teacher interviews further confirmed noticeable growth in empathy, verbal expression, autonomous conflict resolution, and collaborative behaviours, alongside increased classroom inclusivity. The convergence of findings indicates that the GATHER Play Module is a highly effective play-based intervention that supports holistic socio-emotional development in early childhood education. Implications highlight the importance of guided play in curriculum design and the need for professional support to ensure sustainable implementation.