title: "This is a bad dog, you know...": constructing shared meanings during sibling pretend play.
abstract: The construction of shared meanings in play, pretense enactment, internal state language, and sibling relationship quality were investigated in 40 kindergarteners with an older (M age = 7.10 years) or younger (M age = 3.6 years) sibling. Dyadic strategies to construct shared meanings (e.g., extensions, building on) were positively associated with frequency of pretense and internal state language. Developmental differences indicated that older dyads used more shared meaning strategies, whereas younger dyads engaged in non-maintenance behaviors (i.e., disruptions to flow of play). Furthermore, firstborn kindergarteners used more non-maintenance behaviors, whereas second-born kindergarteners extended partner's ideas. Findings highlight the sibling relationship as a context for illuminating social understanding and relationship dynamics during pretend play.
authors: Department of Education, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. nina.howe@education.concordia.ca
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Howe
authors: Hariclia
authors: H
authors: Petrakos
authors: Christina M
authors: CM
authors: Rinaldi
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: LeFebvre
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001722:Birth Order; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D032882:Comprehension; D003210:Concept Formation; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D017008:Negotiating; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012660:Semantics; D012801:Sibling Relations; D014825:Vocabulary