Peer relationships between newly enrolled toddlers and those with one years previous experience at daycare center in transitional periods
AUTHOR : 김미숙
INFORMATION : page. 25~44 / 2008 Vol.15 No.3
ABSTRACT
This study investigated toddlers\' adjustment in transitional periods, using an observant-participant research methodology. The peer interactions, peer relationships, and adjustments of children were observed and recorded by videotape in March and April, for a period of two years, between 2007 and 2008. The data was interpreted by inferencing themes from similar recurrent events. The site was a daycare center and data was collected 2-3 times a day from 9;30 to 12;00 noon. Toddlers with one years previous experience influenced the adjustments of newly enrolled toddlers. The greater the experience of the former, the better the latter\'s adjustments was. The newly enrolled toddlers were easily involved in \'the spontaneous community mood\' and interacted well with peers. The play also influenced the newly enrolled toddlers\' social interactions and adjustment. They created new play strategies and initiated social interaction with toddlers with one years previous experience if they could not collaborate with peers due to the lack of skillful play strategies. The present results imply the necessity of practice methodology focused on peer interactions for toddlers\' adjustments in such transitional periods.