Children's interests are widely recognised as pivotal to meaningful learning and play in the early years. However, less is known about how children's diverse interests may contribute to relationships and interactions within peer cultures. This article builds upon previous studies to argue that participation in sociocultural activity generates…

Argues that children's occupational preferences provide insight into the ways in which they learn about adult work in their society. Examines resources that children in industrial societies use in constructing ideas about their future occupations, considers whether these ideas can be seen as occupational identities, and examines implications for…