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Teaching, caring, and altruistic behaviors in toddlers

Kiyobumi Kawakami1, Kiyoko Takai-Kawakami2

  • 1University of the Sacred Heart, 4-3-1, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8938, Japan.

Infant Behavior & Development
|October 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

One-year-old toddlers exhibit significant increases in peer-directed behaviors, including teaching and altruism. This longitudinal study reveals toddlers are sophisticated social beings from an early age.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Behavior
  • Social Development

Background:

  • Understanding the early development of social behaviors in toddlers is crucial for developmental psychology.
  • Previous research has explored infant social interaction, but longitudinal data on peer-directed behaviors in toddlers is less common.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally investigate the development of peer-directed behaviors in one-year-old toddlers and infants under 12 months.
  • To analyze specific social behaviors such as teaching, caring, and altruism in a naturalistic preschool setting.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal observation of 21 children (13 one-year-olds, 8 under 12 months) in a preschool setting.
  • Behavioral data recorded using an IC recorder during 15-minute play sessions, observed 6 times over one year.
  • Detailed analysis of teaching, caring, and altruistic behaviors.

Main Results:

  • A dramatic increase in peer-directed behaviors was observed in one-year-old toddlers.
  • Specific social behaviors like teaching and altruism showed significant development within this age group.

Conclusions:

  • Toddlers demonstrate sophisticated social capabilities and a pronounced capacity for peer-directed interactions.
  • Early childhood is a critical period for the rapid development of complex social behaviors.

Keywords:
CaringPeer-directed behaviorsToddlers

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