Yuli Kurniawati Sugiyo Pranoto, FIP PAUD and Jianzhong Hong, - (2018) Gender preferences in play companions that lead to happines: a case study on Indonesia children. Early Child Development and Care. ISSN 0300-4430

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Abstract

The study aims at exploring Indonesian children’s preferences in the choice of play companions that lead to their happiness. In total, 381 boys and 396 girls (aged 4–6 years old) participated in the study. We conducted a storytelling test to determine which play companions that lead to children’s happiness and by using content analysis to interpret the qualitative data. The majority of boys and girls nominated their friends as their most preferred play companions. However, when feeling unhappy with their friends, boys tended to turn inward to themselves, χ(1) = 31.447, p = .001, while girls tended to prioritize family as their play companions. A Kruskal– Wallis test revealed that the happiest child is the one who experiences play activity at school with teachers and friends there, χ2(2) = 13.712, p = .008 especially for girls, χ2(2) = 10.869, p = .028. It is necessary to develop a parenting programme to educate parents about the importance of play (particularly with partners) in promoting children’s happiness.

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