Peer Relationships and Moral Behavior of Chinese Early Childhood Students

• In Event: Creating Support for University Students

Abstract

Researchers have long debated the connection between peer relationships and the development of children’s moral behavior. Meanwhile, early childhood is an important age stage that influences individuals’ lifelong development. The present study focuses on leadership and friendship among peer groups, investigating their relationship to the development of moral behavior among children in early childhood, and whether such relationships differ in academic or social activities. Forty-five second grade Chinese elementary students participated in the study. Their moral behavior was evaluated by their parents, and their peer relationships and choices about moral qualities were nominated by the students themselves. The results show that children’s choices of peers and leaders are not affected by moral behavior. However, students demonstrate a concentrated choice tendency on certain moral qualities and multiple peer relationships in the classroom.

Authors

• Qiu Mo, Miami University

• Jing Tan, Miami University

• Yanning He, Miami University

• Yu Zhong, Miami University

• Aimin Wang, Miami University