Drawing on evidence from studies on both sides of the Atlantic, this beautifully written book from Judy Dunn, the leading international authority on childhood development, considers the nature and significance of children's early friendships.
accessible and comprehensive book on friendship, beautifully written by a world authority;
features a foreword by Jerome Bruner, one of the most influential psychologists alive today;
stresses the importance of friendships to young children and considers the implications of friendship for our understanding of children's development more generally;
draws out the practical implications for parents, teachers and those who care for children;
considers how to help children with friendship difficulties and what to do about 'trouble-making' friendships and bullying;
latest addition to the Understanding Children's Worlds series.
Foreword vi
Jerome S. Bruner
List of figures viii
Acknowledgements ix
1. Friends matter 1
2. Beginnings 12
3. Friends within a social world: the early years 34
4. Differences in children's friendships: links with social understanding 48
5. With a little help from my friends 69
6. Intrigues, bullying, rejection and loneliness 82
7. Girls, boys and friendship 99
8. Parents and Friends 119
9. Siblings and Friends 142
10 Implications 155
Appendix: How can parents help children over friendship difficulties? 161
Notes 165
References 179
Name index 199
Subject Index 201
