“This friend was nice”: Young children's negotiation of social relationships in and through interactions with (play) objects

The study investigates how children negotiate in social relationships using objects in play. The research questions are: 1) How do children mobilise objects in order to negotiate their social relationships and positions in ongoing interactions during play with peers? 2) What is the relevance of these object-centred and object-mediated practices to children’s acquisition of social skills in kindergarten?

The results show that children actively use objects in play to navigate and negotiate social relationships, and to communicate attitudes towards each other that can result in both inclusion in and exclusion from play. Children used objects to communicate friendship, belonging, power and positions in the play environment. The study shows that children develop important social and communicative skills through the various mechanisms of play.

The data is based on an ethnographic video study in a Swedish kindergarten over a period of six months. The study focuses on a group of 25 children aged four to five, as well as three kindergarten teachers. The researchers observed and filmed the children in various play activities and everyday situations in kindergarten. The video recording was analysed based on how the children used objects to establish, maintain and challenge social dynamics and relationships. The researchers also analysed the children’s interactions, physical movements and verbal expressions.

Karlsson, M., & Nasi, N. (2023). “This friend was nice”: Young children's negotiation of social relationships in and through interactions with (play) objects. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 42, 100734.