Faculty Publications

Interpersonal Understanding Among Friends: A Case-Study Of Two Young Boys Playing Checkers

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Research in Childhood Education

Volume

10

Issue

2

First Page

114

Last Page

122

Abstract

This one-year case-study explored the development of interpersonal understanding in young children in a naturalistic setting. Subjects (two best-friend boys, aged 4 years, 5 months at the start of the study) were studied as they played checkers together in their preschool classroom at a university laboratory school. Ten classroom sessions of checkers, one laboratory session of checkers, and two laboratory sessions of a teacher-made board game were videotaped and transcribed. All interactions were coded according to Selman's conceptualization of Enacted Interpersonal Understanding, and all conflicts were isolated and coded for resolution. Results showed a decrease in impulsive strategies and an increase in reciprocal strategies from the beginning to the end of the year, an increased ability to resolve conflicts, and a decrease in the extent to which play sessions were dominated by conflict. Results also showed a difference between classroom sessions and laboratory sessions. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for early childhood teachers and care-givers. © 1996 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Department

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Original Publication Date

1-1-1996

DOI of published version

10.1080/02568549609594894

Link to Full Text

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