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Faculty Advisors
Shereen Naser
Description
Work with older elementary students reveals that children often identify friendship qualities based on what they see from their parent's relationships, but close friendships amongst peers are developed in children in preadolescence years (ages eight to ten years old). However, little is known about friendship building in four to five year olds. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe how children ages four to five define and think about the process of making friendships. Researchers conducted interviews with twenty-two children ages four to five years old from a suburban child care center. Survey questions asked students how they think about friendship and their process of finding and making friends. Systematic content analysis of interview transcripts indicate that friendship development for children ages four to five is most times related to convenience and self initiated conversation amongst peers. Moreover, the children in this study reported engaging in play with peers they have already established a relationship with before engaging in social play with unfamiliar peers around them. Results of this study can inform how adults support friendship building at such a young age.
Publication Date
2021
Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Tackett, Hannah, "Development of Childhood Friendships in Children Ages Four to Five" (2021). Undergraduate Research Posters 2021. 8.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2021/8
Student Publication
This item is part of the McNair Scholars Program.
