| Abstract: | The relationships between teacher attitudes about children, children's peer relations, and achievement orientation were investigated. Eighteen preschool children were administered the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and a standard sociometric nomination procedure as measures of achievement and peer status, respectively. Fourteen student teachers involved in a practicum experience responded to an attitude measurement procedure designed to assess attitudes of Attachment, Rejection, Concern, and Indifference (ARCI). Kendall correlation coefficients indicated a significant relationship between teacher attitudes toward children and children's peer relations. Children who were popular in their peer group were nominated as highly attached by their teachers. Inversely, children's peer rejection correlated positively with teacher concern and rejection, while correlating negatively with teacher attachment. Teachers also were attached to high achieving children and rejected or were concerned about low achieving children. The implications for student‐teacher relationships and educational environments are discussed. |
