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ERIC Number: EJ1390595
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: EISSN-1556-6935
Available Date: N/A
The Benefits of Buddies: Strategically Pairing Preschoolers with Other-Gender Classmates Promotes Positive Peer Interactions
Hanish, Laura D.; Xiao, Sonya Xinyue; Malouf, Laura Means; Martin, Carol Lynn; Goble, Priscilla; Fabes, Richard A.; DeLay, Dawn; Bryce, Crystal
Early Education and Development, v34 n5 p1011-1025 2023
Research Findings: We tested whether a universal classroom peer pairing intervention -- "Buddy Up" -- would strengthen dyadic peer interactions among preschoolers (N = 140; M[subscript age] = 56.49 months; 53.6% boys; 77.9% Latinx). The "Buddy Up" intervention was informed by Intergroup Contact Theory, which specifies the benefits of exposure to heterogeneous others. Teachers buddied children with other-gender peers. We hypothesized positive intervention effects on the quality of dyadic interactions overall and for other-gender interactions specifically. We also considered whether the effects would generalize (secondary transfer effects) to interactions with other-language peers (English and Spanish). Using a quasi-experimental design, we found intervention effects on improved peer interactions overall and for other-gender dyads. There was little evidence of improved interactions for other-language dyads. Same-gender dyads (notably girl-girl dyads) and same-language dyads (notably English-speaking dyads) also responded positively to the intervention. The use of dyadic peer interaction data during preschool represents an innovative feature of this study. Practice or Policy: "Buddy Up" facilitated positive peer interactions. This is a key building block through which social skills are built and friendships can grow. The findings suggest that early childhood teachers can successfully support students in developing relationships with peers.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A