The Relationship between Preschoolers' Friendships, Social Status, and Play Behaviors

유아의 친구관계와 사회적 지위 및 놀이행동과의 관련연구

This study investigated the agreement between 3 assessments of preschoolers' friendship: peer nominations, teacher nominations, and behavioral observations. The relationship between friendship, social status, social competence, and play behaviors was also investigated. The subjects were 44 5-year-olds. Teachers were asked to rate the children's social competence; play behaviors were observed during free play time. The results indicated high agreement between the 3 assessments. Popular children were more likely to have friends than other social status groups. Children without friends were more hesitant than children with friends. Children with friends were more accepted by peers and engaged in cooperative social play more than children without friends.