How 2- and 4-year-old children coordinate social interactions with peers.

ABSTRACT: The Interaction Engine Hypothesis postulates that humans have a unique ability and motivation for social interaction. A crucial juncture in the ontogeny of the interaction engine could be around 2-4 years of age, but observational studies of children in natural contexts are limited. These data appear critical also for comparison with non-human primates. Here, we report on focal observations on 31 children aged 2- and 4-years old in four preschools (10 h per child). Children interact with a wide range of partners, many infrequently, but with one or two close friends. Four-year olds engage in cooperative social interactions more often than 2-year olds and fight less than 2-year olds. Conversations and playing with objects are the most frequent social interaction types in both age groups. Chi

SUBMITTER: Rossano F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9310186 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature