Motor synchrony, social learning and closeness in group play settings.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Playful activities provide critical opportunities for rhythmic interactions, which may affect social and cognitive development in early childhood. Prior research suggests that motor synchrony promotes closeness and prosocial behaviour, but few studies have examined its role in social learning and in group settings.

Method

This study investigated whether motor synchrony in a clapping game, enhances preschoolers' closeness with others, imitation, over-imitation, and sharing behaviour. In a group setting, motor synchrony and asynchrony were experimentally induced between the child and two experimenters. We hypothesized that children would feel closer, imitate more, and share more with an adult partner who moved in synchrony compared to one who moved asynchronously.

SUBMITTER: Nguyen T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12447275 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature