peer relations Flashcards
(28 cards)
How do young children build relationships?
Through play, particularly with non-caregiving adults, siblings, and peers (Dunn, 1983; Schaffer & Emerson, 1964).
What role does childcare play in peer relationship development?
It provides opportunities for sustained interactions and friendships with other children.
At what age do children begin forming peer preferences?
By 2–3 years of age (Howe, 1983; Ross & Lollis, 1989).
How stable are early friendships?
80% of friendships in nursery settings lasted 3 years (Howes & Phillipsen, 1992).
By preschool, what is the average friendship duration?
Around 2 years (Dunn, 1993).
How does play differ between friends and non-friends?
Friends engage in more complex, cooperative play and resolve conflicts more effectively.
What play developments occur between ages 2 to 4?
Increases in complexity of social and pretend play.
How does play help children expand their social circle?
Skills from friendship interactions help children engage with a wider range of peers.
What function does pretend play serve among friends?
It allows exploration of trust and intimacy through co-creation and self-disclosure (Howes et al., 1992).
What do pretend play themes often represent?
Children’s personal concerns and preoccupations (Parker & Gottman, 1989).
What themes were coded in children’s pretend play? (Dunn & Hughes, 2001)
Domestic, monsters, violence, fantasy/magic, sex/marriage.
How did ‘hard-to-manage’ children differ in pretend play?
Engaged more in violent themes and showed more antisocial behavior and peer conflict.
Did the total amount of pretend play differ between groups?
No, both groups had similar overall pretend play frequency.
What defines a friendship in childhood?
A mutually reciprocated, voluntary, intimate, and stable relationship (Gifford-Smith & Brownell, 2003).
What methods are used to assess friendships?
Nominations
Proximity & interaction observations
Interviews on friendship quality
What is a reciprocated friendship?
When two children both nominate each other as best friends.
What is sociometric status?
The degree to which a child is accepted by their peer group.
How is sociometric status measured?
Children nominate peers they like most and least (Cole et al., 1982).
What are the five sociometric categories?
Popular
Rejected
Neglected
Controversial
Average
What are characteristics of rejected children?
Stable over time
Engage in less cooperative, more disruptive play
Poor long-term outcomes
What are characteristics of neglected children?
Low visibility
Shy and withdrawn
Least stable group
Behaviorally similar to average/popular kids
What are characteristics of popular children?
Socially skilled and outgoing
Prosocial and cooperative
Often seen as leaders
What are characteristics of controversial children?
Both liked and disliked
Aggressive but also leaders
Smallest sociometric group
Why are peer relationships important?
They influence later mental health, wellbeing, and academic achievement.
