“You've Got a Friend in Me”—An Exploratory Study on Greek Parents’ Views on Their Children's Friendships at the Preschool Setting

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to find out if educational activities about friendship can lead to children's well-being, socialization and adaptation in the preschool setting according to parents’ perceptions. It is generally accepted that there are strong links between subjective feelings of well-being and companionship (family solidarity and friendship). We gain happiness through our relationships with other people. The relationships in the early years of human life are significant in the development of a healthy and happy human being. A qualitative study using educational activities such as pretend play, drawings and a friend's party among parents, children and teachers was applied. Fifty-two Greek pre-school kids participated in the project. After the 2-month implementation project, 25 semi-structured interviews were carried out with volunteering parents whose children participated. Each was recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Ethical considerations included confidentiality, possibility to withdraw items and approval of both parents and municipal authorities. Interviews revealed that activities dedicated to friendship at the beginning of the school year, could direct to bonding among children, shorter adaptation period and a positive parents’ attitude toward school and staff. Although parents were not actively involved in this curriculum, they were able to recognize changes on their children's well-being and adjustment. The importance of this educational program is highlighted in happy bonding among all and in involving parents in school life.

KEYWORDS:

• Friendship
• early year
• parenting
• preschool setting
• play

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eleni Tympa

Dr Eleni Tympa is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Early Years Learning and Care at the University of Ioannina, Greece. Her research focus is on the healthy life style of preschool children, the role of the story telling on the healthy life style, the pretend play and art activities and their contribution to the child's development.

Vasiliki Karavida

Dr Vasiliki Karavida is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Early Years Learning & Care at the University of Ioannina, Greece. Her areas of research involve nutrition, healthy life style, education and all-round development in early childhood.

Athanasia Siaviki

Athanasia Siaviki is a Primary School Teacher in a public elementary school. She is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Early Childhood Education & Care, University of Ioannina. Her thesis emphasizes on the study of didactic effects of the Montessori Method on cognitive development of children from preschool to early primary school age. Her research interests concern mainly the scientific fields of Didactic Methodology, Educational Evaluation and Special Education.