ABSTRACT
It was discussed in chapter five that the ability to relate to each other was viewed by children as akin to a survival skill in the reception class environment. Even in the case of David, who was confident in his ability to relate to adults, his teacher suggested that the desire to play together with another child was stronger than the desire to compete. When competitiveness threatened to end his play, it was usually brought back on track by both the children involved. Paley (1999) suggests that the desire to make friends is so strong that it often dominates even the need to compete. Relating to examples of numerous experiences with young children, she says that ‘the early instinct to help someone is powerful’ (p.129). Penn (1998, p.6) also says that there was evidence in her research that children felt it was important to ‘be part of a group and experience solidarity with other children’.
