The Most Influential People in a Preschooler's Life Are Not Who You Think
Written By Savvy Auntie Staff Writers
By Katelyn Fry
The other day I was flipping channels on TV and one of my personal favorites was on – the timeless, chick-flick classic, Mean Girls. Young, innocent and naïve Cady Heron moves to Michigan from Africa, and is eventually initiated into her new high school’s most popular clique, “The Plastics.” Throughout the film, we watch Cady undergo an extreme personality transformation, all of which is a direct result of her hanging out with the school’s “Queen B’s.”
We typically believe that kids begin to be influenced by their cohorts in middle school or when they become teenagers, like Cady. I remember when I was in high school, and even college, hearing: “You are who you hang out with,” countless times from family members. But, perhaps the caring adults in my life should have begun this lesson much earlier in my life.
According to a new study by psychology researchers at Michigan State University to be published online in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, influence on personality begins as early as preschool. And like the colds that these children seem to get from their classmates, researchers contend that personality traits are also “contagious” at this age.
The first of its kind to examine personality traits of young children over time, the study looked at two groups of children between ages three and four over the course of a year. The study found that the preschoolers’ behavior is greatly influenced by the other children around them: “Children whose play partners were extroverted or hard-working became similar to these peers over time. Children whose play partners were overanxious and easily frustrated, however, did not take on these particular traits.”
Turns out, as much as parents, aunts and other influential family members instill positive behavior like being good listeners, having patience and curbing impulsivity, children will adapt to the personality traits of their peers – for better or for worse.
Emily Durbin, co-investigator and associate professor of psychology at Michigan State University, says that adult caregivers are not the only influencers on preschoolers but rather the children themselves are the leading “change agents.” Perhaps the best influence parents and caregivers can have is to coordinate playdates with other preschoolers who have positive personality traits.
You are who you hang out with – even in preschool.
Photo: SerrNovik
Published: February 22, 2017