Socialization in a mixed-age experimental program

Examined social participation in an experimental program in which 8 preschoolers (mean age 4.1 yrs), 9 kindergartners (mean age 5 yrs), and 6 schoolchildren (mean age 7.2 yrs) were enrolled for 2 mo. The rates at which each S dispensed and received positive and negative social behaviors from peers in each of the 3 age groups were recorded during 10 5-min open instruction periods. Data reveal that in the mixed-age setting, preschoolers showed a preference for kindergartners over preschoolers or schoolchildren, whereas the kindergartners and schoolchildren showed a preference for their own age-mates over non-age-mates. Findings indicate that age rather than sex was the major factor influencing playmate selection, in contrast to findings by J. Goldman (66:11245). It is suggested that age is a major factor influencing playmate selection among children who are more heterogeneous in terms of age, whereas sex may be a major factor influencing choice of playmates among children who are more homogeneous in age. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).