Peeking at the relationship world of infant friends and caregivers

This qualitative study aimed to explore how infants share and experience friendships and examine the role of infant caregivers in social and friendship experiences among infants. The data were collected through classroom observation over a semester. Findings yielded complex and rich social relationships that both infant friends and caregivers collectively share. Infant friends exhibited strong preference toward each other and share caring, affective, playful, and humorous relationships. The findings also illustrated how infant caregivers play an important role in nurturing and supporting relationships among infants. Yet, it was also noticed that caregivers could easily miss the cues of infants or their intentions and thus hinder the further development of infants' play and social interaction. Implications for practice were discussed.