COMPETITIVE BEHAVIORS IN KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

The aim of this study was to examine the differences between boys and girls in the way they express competitive behavior in a kindergarten classroom. 176 preschool children (90 boys, 86 girls; Mage= 5.2 years) participated in this study from 10 kindergarten schools and classrooms accordingly. We observed and recorded the frequency of 12 verbal (words and phrases) and physical (movements and gestures) competitive behaviors which were expressed by preschool children during organized activities (e.g., where the teacher usually chooses the activity in which the children will be engaged) and free activities (e.g., where children choose themselves in which activity they will engage). Results from 20 hours of observations showed that boys expressed more competitive behavior than girls. Both boys and girls expressed more competitive behavior during organized activities and less during free activities. During organized activities girls expressed more competitive behaviors than boys while during free activities boys expressed more competitive behaviors than girls.