Competency-Based Approach in Early Interventions Aimed to Children and Families

The article outlines the theoretical basis of the competence approach in early intervention aimed to children and their families, developed by the author. The concept, structural and functional aspects of competence are considered from the perspective of the theory of procedural analysis. Seven levels of competence development are identified: situational interest, pre-competence, minimal, initial, extended, adaptive and advanced competence. The main types of competencies in young children have been determined, including individually oriented, socially oriented, executive, universal and complex ones. A description of the properties of competencies is shown, including spontaneous activation, associated positive affect, openness and flexibility, the tendency towards explicitness, the ability to combine with other competencies. The following principles of the development of competencies were revealed: naturalness, involvement, autonomy, explicitness, balance, complexity and de-contextualization. The application of the approach is illustrated by 2 cases. The possibilities and limitations of the approaches are being discussed.