NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ898685
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jan
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1538-6619
EISSN: N/A
Helping Children Play and Learn Together
Ostrosky, Michaelene M.; Meadan, Hedda
Young Children, v65 n1 p104-110 Jan 2010
During the early childhood years, children learn to interact with one another in ways that are positive and successful. Researchers stress the importance of positive peer relationships in childhood and later life. The absence of positive social interactions in childhood is linked to negative consequences later in life, such as withdrawal, loneliness, depression, and feelings of anxiety. In addition, low acceptance by peers in the early years is a predictor of grade retention, school dropout, and mental health and behavior problems. Educators can do many things to promote and support positive social interactions and prevent challenging behavior. Fox and colleagues (2003) describe a pyramid framework for supporting social competence and preventing young children's challenging behavior. This article highlights environmental and teaching strategies that support and facilitate the development of preschoolers' peer interaction skills--the skills children use to successfully interact with one another, such as sharing, taking turns, asking for assistance, and helping one another. The authors use a question-and-answer format to describe strategies that support the teaching pyramid's second and third levels (creating supportive environments and fostering positive social interactions), with the questions coming from many early childhood educators across the United States.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. 1313 L Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 22205-4101. Tel: 800-424-2460; Tel: 202-232-8777; Fax: 202-328-2649; e-mail: editorial@naeyc.org; Web site: http://journal.naeyc.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A