Children and Relationship Development: Communication Strategies In a Day Care Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 1997

Department

Communication Studies

School

Communication

Abstract

Child care organizations provide a key venue for the development of children's communication strategies. This study examined the communication strategies embedded in children's interactions at one child care center. Observed interactions evidenced recurring communication strategies in messages among children and teachers, which in turn focused attention on such strategies as developing tools for relationship creation and termination by young communicators. Ten key strategies for influencing relationships were found: statements of friendship, proximity, touching, listening, expressing feelings, engaging in conflict, joking or teasing, playing and taking roles, controlling others, and invoking rules. These strategies were used by the children both positively and negatively to manage relationships. As they transited through various phases of relationships, the strategies also evidenced pursuit of the valued relational goals of inclusion, affection, and control.

Publication Title

Communication Reports

Volume

10

Issue

1

First Page

75

Last Page

85

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