The effects of prior experience in early childhood programs and play setting on social behaviour and play in preschoolers

Two studies exploring the effects of prior experience in early childhood programs and play setting [inside vs outside] on the social behaviour of preschoolers are reported. In both studies, four-year-old children currently attending preschool were observed during inside and outside free play. Parten's [1932] social participation classification was used. In the first study, the behaviour of children who had attended sessions at a similar preschool in the preceding year was found to be significantly more social during inside play than children with no prior experience in an early childhood program. Play was significantly more social outside for the group as a whole. In the second study, preschoolers with prior experience-in a range of early childhood programs were observed. Again, play was found to be significantly more social outside, but the results of Study 1 in relation to prior experience were not supported. No differences were found in the social nature of the children's play according to the extent of their experience in early childhood programs. These results are discussed in relation to the ongoing impact of early childhood programs, the importance of the currently-attended program and the potential role of outdoor settings in interventions with socially isolated or withdrawn children, or others in integrated groups.