Perceptions of "Best Friend" as Expressed by Preschool Children in Turkey and in Sweden

• In this study we ask the following questions concerning the concepts of ‘friendship’ and ‘best friend’ from a cross-cultural perspective: Do children have different concepts about what ‘friendship’ and ‘best friend’ can be? Does having a different cultural background determine how teachers and other staff who work with children at the preschool stage (as well as the children’s parents) entertain different ideas about potential differences between the child’s conception of ‘friendship’? We wish to examine what perceptions about ‘friendship’ children who live in Turkey and Sweden have. We are curious to discover whether any cross-cultural differences can be identified or whether, no matter what their cultural background may be, children are more similar to each other in this regard than previously known? The preschool context of the child’s development instantiates an important social- and cultural meeting place that should promote the child’s understanding of the value of diversity. An awareness of different living conditions and cultures can help to develop in the child an ability to understand and empathize with other people’s conditions and values.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Early Childhood

Preschool Children

Best Friend

Friendship

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)