본 연구는 성(性), 연령, 또는 형제 · 자매의 유무가 유아의 친구 선택에 미치는 상호작용적인 영향을 발달학적 측면에서 살펴보았다. 연구 결과, 유아들은 친구를 선택할 때 (1)연령보다는 성(性)을 중시하는 것으로 나타났으며, (2)동성(同性)/동일 연령의 유아를 가장 선호하였고, (3)이성(異性)/다른 연령의 유아를 가장 선호하지 않았으며, 이러한 모든 경향은 유아의 연령이 증가할수록 높아졌다. 또한, 형제 · 자매가 있는 유아들은 독자(獨子)인 유아들보다 동성(同性)/다른 연령의 유아를 더 선호하는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과의 의의와 현장에의 시사점이 토의되었다.

This study examined the effects of gender, age, and siblings on children`s selection of their playmates. The subjects were 243 three-, four-, and five-year olds enrolled in two kindergartens in Seoul. Two research assistants who were blind to the purposes of this study interviewed the children. First, the children were presented with two photos (one showing a child of same-age) and were asked to indicate their preference. Next, they were presented with four photos (a child of same age/same-gender, same-gender, same-age/different-gender, different-age/same gender, and different-age/different-gender, respectively) and were again asked to indicate whom they like to play with in the order of their preference. The results showed that children considered gender to be most important when they chose a peer to play with. Furthermore, children preferred a same gender/ same-age child the most and a different-gender/different-age child the least. The tendencies of children to prioritize gender over age in the selection of a playmate and to prefer a same-age/same-gender peer increased with age. Finally, children with siblings seemed to be less hesitant than children without siblings to play with a same-gender/different-age playmate. Theoretical and practical implications of this study were discussed and suggestions for future study were made.