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.
Descriptors: Preschool Children, Peer Relationship, Intergroup Relations, Friendship, Interaction, Interpersonal Competence, Gender Differences, Predictor Variables
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