ARTICLE INFORMATION Title: Friendships Over the Transition from Early Childhood Center to School.   Publication Date : 2000  Authors: Ledger, Eileen; Smith, Anne B.; Rich, Peter  Source: International Journal of Early Years Education  Abstract: This study is an ethnographic, participant observation study of the friendships of 16 4-5-year-old children over the transition to school. Data were collected over 18 months through regular visits with children at kindergarten, home and school. Children were followed individually by the researcher on the first day of school. Anecdotal field notes and videotaped interviews were analyzed according to friendship themes. Children played, shared activities and fun together with friends. Important shared activities for friends over the transition included birthday parties and associated gift giving, staying overnight, sharing resources (for example toys or pens) and involvement in reciprocal or complementary play. Children viewed the researcher as a friend: they played with her, asked for her help, joined in activities with her and gained comfort from her proximity. Only two dyadic friendships survived over the transition to school. While friendships were a focal concern of children's lives during the transition, children with friends did not make an easier transition to school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]   Volume #: 8       Issue #:1      Page Nos: 57-69 Link:   Population:       Language:English      Ethnicity: Focus Area: Primary Focus Area: Non-Research Category1: Non-Research Category2: Research Research Category: Research Category: Sub Category 2: Sub Category3: Qualitative Child Keywords: FRIENDSHIP in children; SCHOOL children  Comments: