scholarly journals Peer Victimisation in Early Childhood; Observations of Participant Roles and Sex Differences

Author(s):  
Claire P. Monks ◽  
Peter K. Smith ◽  
Kat Kucaba

During middle childhood and adolescence, victimisation appears to be a group process involving different participant roles. However, peer reports with younger children (four to six years old) have failed to identify the participant roles of assistant (to the bully) reinforcers or defenders with much reliability. This may be because peer victimisation is a more dyadic process among younger children (behavioural reality), or because of limitations in young children’s cognitive capacity to identify these behaviours (cognitive limitations). The findings of an observational study which examined the group nature of peer victimisation among young children are presented. Observations were made of 56 children aged four and five years using time sampling during free play at school (totalling 43.5 h of observation). Records were made of their behaviour when an onlooker witnessed aggression by others, and also of others’ behaviour when they were being aggressive or being victimised. Although children other than the aggressor and target were present in nearly two thirds of the episodes of peer victimisation observed, few exhibited behavioural responses in line with the assistant, reinforcer or defender roles. This supports the behavioural reality rather than the cognitive limitations explanation. Sex differences were observed in types of aggression displayed by children, with boys more likely than girls to be physically aggressive. Children were less likely to be aggressive to other-sex peers and were most likely to be victimised by children of the same sex as them. There were also sex differences in children’s onlooker behaviour. The implications for our understanding of the development of peer victimisation and bullying in children are discussed.

Human Nature ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa N. Crittenden ◽  
Alan Farahani ◽  
Kristen N. Herlosky ◽  
Trevor R. Pollom ◽  
Ibrahim A. Mabulla ◽  
...  

Human Nature ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa N. Crittenden ◽  
Alan Farahani ◽  
Kristen N. Herlosky ◽  
Trevor R. Pollom ◽  
Ibrahim A. Mabulla ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 002205742199624
Author(s):  
Clarizza Jon O. Feliciano ◽  
Marison Felicidad R. Dy

With limited studies that focus on middle childhood education and free play, this study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) related to free play of 120 early grade schoolteachers in private and public schools of Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. The data were gathered via self-administered questionnaire. The study used descriptive and statistical means to analyze data. Findings show that teachers have knowledge on free play; however, there were negative attitudes toward play, and play was not practiced. Thus, teachers and education administrators are recommended to make adjustments for teachers’ pedagogical advancement on play in middle childhood.


1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 176-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra J. Pepler ◽  
Wendy M. Craig

Peers have both positive and negative influences on children; therefore, considerable attention has focused on assessing peer relationships and friendships through childhood and adolescence. The present article provides an overview of the main methods of assessing peer relationships. The adaptive nature of children's peer relations has been assessed through four main methodologies: (1) asking the children themselves about elements of peer relations and friendships; (2) asking children about their perceptions of others within the peer group; (3) asking adults (i.e. parents and teachers) about the peer relations skills of children in their care; and (4) directly observing children during interactions with peers. Each of these approaches is described, with attention to relative strengths and weaknesses and their suitability for assessing peer relations in early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.


1984 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Sandra Kahn

Author(s):  
Wendy S. Grolnick ◽  
Suzanne T. Gurland ◽  
Karen F. Jacob ◽  
Wendy Decourcey

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