Childhood Friendships and Peer Relations

In the second edition of his unique study of peer relationships in childhood, Dr Barry Schneider re-examines this fundamental aspect of childhood. Taking the work of Jacob Moreno as its starting point, the book provides an up-to-date and accessible understanding of how children develop social competence in different environments, from school to cyberspace. It is informed by a cross-cultural perspective that examines how peer relationships vary in different cultures, as well as among children who have migrated to a new culture, and provides increased coverage of how bullying is perceived and managed within peer groups. The book is informed, too, by new research techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, which mean we know far more about how children relate to each other than ever before. Childhood Friendships and Peer Relations is a fascinating and very timely overview of what we know about making friends and enemies in childhood, showing how these relationships can have lasting effects. It will be essential reading to all students of Developmental Psychology and Educational Psychology, as well as anyone training towards a career working with children and young people.

Barry H. Schneider is Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Canada

1. Theoretical and historical roots of peer relations research 2. The Importance of Peer Relations: Coping with the Stresses of Life 3: Where Does Social Competence Come From? 4. Peer relations and success at school 5: Defining Social Competence and Determining What it Looks Like 6. Techniques for Assessing Children's Peer Relations 7. Relationships at the Dyadic Level 8: Peer Relations of Children with Atypical Patterns of Development 9. Cultural Differences in Peer Relations 10. Cultural imprints on children's friendships 11. Electronic Communication and Peer Relationships: Barry H. Schneider and Yair Amichai-Hamburger 12. Facilitating Children's Peer Relations