The Influence of Teacher-Child Relationship and Sibling Relationship on Children's Social Competence

Compare with a larger sized nuclear family in the 1960s, Hong Kong parents tend to give birth to only one to two children nowadays. Hence, there are a growing number of only child in family. Previous research studies showed... [ view full abstract ]

Compare with a larger sized nuclear family in the 1960s, Hong Kong parents tend to give birth to only one to two children nowadays. Hence, there are a growing number of only child in family. Previous research studies showed that siblings’ social interaction positively affects one’s social competence, while what are the related factors contribute to the social development of the only child left unknown. Thus, this study aims to find out the influence of sibling relationship, if any, and the influence of teacher-child relationship on children social competence. There were 136 three to six years old children participated in the current study, and both questionnaire survey and observation were conducted. First, six teachers self-reported in the questionnaire and rated the social competence of 136 children. Result showed that there is a significant difference between children with siblings and only children in terms of perspective taking aspect. The big sister also presented significant higher social competence when comparing with younger sister,younger brother, and elder brother. Second, one child with higher level of teacher-child relationship and another one children with lower level of teacher-children relationship were being observed in order to find out their social characteristics.Children have good relationship with teacher and participate in class activity more actively were more capable in solving problem; seldom behave aggressively; and receive positive reinforcement more frequently. Further more, teacher-child relationship showed significant correlation with children’s social competence. Although, the current study has its own limitations in both sampling strategies and analyses,it recommends the importance of teacher-child relationship. More effort should be put to build close and warmth relationship with children in order to booster their social competence.

Keywords: Teacher-child relationship; Sibling relationship; Social competence & big sister