Friendships

doi:10.1017/9781009339506.015

14 - Friendships

from Part 2 - Dimensions of health and wellbeing

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2024

Maryanne Theobald ,

Susan Danby ,

Catherine Thompson and

Karen Thorpe

Edited by

Susanne Garvis and

Donna Pendergast

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Susanne Garvis: Affiliation:
Griffith University, Queensland
Donna Pendergast: Affiliation:
Griffith University, Queensland

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Summary

This chapter investigates friendships and children’s wellbeing in the early years of schooling. Having a friend, and being a friend, is closely connected to children’s health and wellbeing in the early years. Friendship safeguards children from social isolation and is associated with academic attainment and social success. In early childhood, children most often make friends through play, having common interests and doing shared activities.Using children’s direct accounts and visual representations of their friendships, we explore characteristics of friendship and the strategies that children use to make friends and manage disputes as they negotiate their social and emotional relationships through play and shared spaces. Three aspects of friendships are evident in the children’s accounts: friendship is enduring; friendship is a mutual relationship; and friendship involves an emotional investment. This chapter provides educators with an understanding of the important role of friendships in young children’s everyday lives, and to their happiness and wellbeing in the early years.

Keywords

Health wellbeing childhood Australia early years education friendships friends peer groups multilingual settings

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Health and Wellbeing in Childhood , pp. 224 - 238

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009339506.015 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2024

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