Empathic Communication in Cooperative Play of 2 and 3 Year Olds

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e2939

Keywords:

empathy, social interaction, intentionality, play development

Abstract

Although empathy is the key to interpersonal relationships, it has been little investigated in children and partners. Empathy is considered a multidimensional construct with affective, cognitive and social components. The present study aimed to understand the construction of cooperative play through empathy in 2-3 year olds. The empathic phenomenon was inferred through behaviors that denote satisfaction, threat, dispute, reconciliation, comfort, among others, emphasizing its communicative role. Twenty children were videotaped in free interaction in a municipal public day care center. Data were qualitatively analyzed – microgenetic analysis of video recordings – and showed that although empathic communication is constitutive of cooperative coordinated play, it does not guarantee its accomplishment. Imitation is the most used strategy for a child to fit into an already structured play. The study empirically reveals the social dimension of empathy and highlights the relevance of investigating children in interaction with peers.

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Published

2019-07-06

Issue

Section

Developmental Psychology

How to Cite

Empathic Communication in Cooperative Play of 2 and 3 Year Olds. (2019). Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto), 29, e2939. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e2939