Cooperative Behaviour in Peer Interactions During Child’s Initiated Activities

Abstract

This study aims to identify the cooperative behaviour in peer interaction during child’s initiated activities. The objective to focus on interaction between children during learning activity and free play time at early childhood education centres. This study uses qualitative data. A total of 25 children in pre-school in Selangor, Malaysia were observed their interaction during learning activities and free play. The findings show two pattern of interaction: first, children engage in cooperative activity caused by shared intentionality. they cooperated with each other to do the group task. This activity gave the children a chance to practice cooperative behavior. Second, friends were instigated peer interaction. The most interesting findings emerging from the observation, peer interaction in such involved a popular child who would always lead and coordinate games. In conclusion, cooperative behaviour during children’s initiated activities play important roles in learning activities and assist the development of children, especially in terms of social skills.