Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom through the Lens of Peer Relations

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom through the Lens of Peer Relations
Language: English
Authors: Minke A. Krijnen (ORCID 0000-0002-0160-1831), Bjorn G. J. Wansink (ORCID 0000-0002-5486-5793), Yvonne H. M. van den Berg (ORCID 0000-0002-9833-7722), Jan van Tartwijk (ORCID 0000-0001-6804-4163), Tim Mainhard (ORCID 0000-0003-2151-1398)
Source: Educational Psychology Review. 2024 36.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 28
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Citizenship, Elementary School Students, Peer Relationship, Student Behavior, Citizenship Education, Prosocial Behavior, Aggression, Peace, Group Unity, Gender Differences, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, Teacher Role
DOI: 10.1007/s10648-024-09870-5
ISSN: 1040-726X
1573-336X
Abstract: We explored the potential of using a peer relations approach for researching children's citizenship in elementary classrooms. Children express or enact citizenship through their behavior toward classmates and the relationships they engage in (i.e., lived citizenship). These behaviors and relationships can be more or less in line with goals for citizenship education. We propose that, through peer relations methodology, these behaviors and relationships can be assessed systematically. In addition, some of the widely researched behaviors and relationships in peer relations research already closely align with goals for citizenship education. With this theoretical and methodological argument, we consider recent publications on classroom behaviors (i.e., prosocial behavior and aggression) and relationships (i.e., positive and negative affect) and their meaning for exemplary goals for citizenship education (i.e., solidarity, peace, and social cohesion). We show how individual children and classroom peer groups differ in these regards and thus in their citizenship and how these differences can be stratified by gender, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. Specific attention is paid to the role of teachers, as organizers of the social structures in their classrooms and as educators who can promote citizenship. Finally, we propose new ways for using peer reports to study citizenship in elementary classrooms more directly and to discover potential avenues for teachers to foster citizenship through peer relations.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1416100
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:We explored the potential of using a peer relations approach for researching children's citizenship in elementary classrooms. Children express or enact citizenship through their behavior toward classmates and the relationships they engage in (i.e., lived citizenship). These behaviors and relationships can be more or less in line with goals for citizenship education. We propose that, through peer relations methodology, these behaviors and relationships can be assessed systematically. In addition, some of the widely researched behaviors and relationships in peer relations research already closely align with goals for citizenship education. With this theoretical and methodological argument, we consider recent publications on classroom behaviors (i.e., prosocial behavior and aggression) and relationships (i.e., positive and negative affect) and their meaning for exemplary goals for citizenship education (i.e., solidarity, peace, and social cohesion). We show how individual children and classroom peer groups differ in these regards and thus in their citizenship and how these differences can be stratified by gender, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. Specific attention is paid to the role of teachers, as organizers of the social structures in their classrooms and as educators who can promote citizenship. Finally, we propose new ways for using peer reports to study citizenship in elementary classrooms more directly and to discover potential avenues for teachers to foster citizenship through peer relations.
ISSN:1040-726X
1573-336X
DOI:10.1007/s10648-024-09870-5