Purpose: Provides a valuable tool in identifying children with behavioural difficulties before they start Primary School
Ages: 2 through to 5yrs
Time: Varies
Time: Varies
Admin: Individual
Description
This quick, 22-item screening tool is designed to help pre-school professionals who may be concerned about a child's behavioural and emotional difficulties. The PBCL provides an objective assessment of behaviour, and thereby helps to decide when intervention is necessary. It is then possible, at an early age, to identify children who may be at risk of later developing serious behavioural problems.
Administration and Scoring
The checklist consists of a series of items within specific areas, including soiling, temper, fears, worries, and moods. The examiner describes the degrees of usually observed behaviours. Scoring is completed quickly. The total score can be compared to criterion cut-off scores which indicate the possibility of behavioural or emotional problems. Individual item scores give information regarding specific behavioural areas. Results from the PBCL assist with the planning of management programs for the individual child.
Authors: Jacqueline McGuire and Naomi Richman
