ERIC Number: ED389414
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1995-Apr
Pages: 15
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Relation among Moral Behavior, Peer-Directed Internal State Language, and Perspective-Taking Ability for Preschoolers in Mixed-Age Settings.
Derscheid, Linda E.
Prior research concerning young children's moral development has been conducted primarily in same-age environments. This study investigated whether preschool children's moral (helping) behaviors are related to younger peer-directed internal state language (talking about younger peer's feelings, wants, and abilities), perspective-taking skills, and attendance at a child development-oriented, mixed-age child care center. Twenty-one pairs of children (older peer: 4-6 years old; younger peer: 2-3 years old) were videotaped while playing with a toy and then with a puzzle. Results indicated that moral behaviors were positively and significantly related to frequency of vocal turns to younger peer, to perspective-taking ability, and to length of attendance at a mixed-age center. Also, data supported the developmental notion that perspective-taking ability is related to age. Results indicated that mixed-age group care settings may facilitate young children's demonstration and understanding of some aspects of moral development, helping behaviors and perspective-taking ability. Contains 12 references. (Author/BGC)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (San Francisco, CA, April 18-22, 1995).