Chapter 7: Social Learning in the Peer Context¹

Persons who are about the same age and who mature on similar timetables are called peers or agemates. During early childhood, peers who grow up together often have similar interests, develop similar skills, and have similar experiences. It is not surprising, therefore, that children tend to see peers as attractive play partners and companions and, as they grow older, often prefer their company to that of siblings and parents.

For most young children, sustained contact with peers begins when they enter some form of childcare or preschool environment. Typically, childcare settings contain more children than caregivers and such arrangements make it likely that toddlers and preschoolers will spend more time interacting with peers than with adults. Peers, therefore, become children’s everyday companions for many of the activities and experiences that occur during the early years of their development.