Altruistic behavior in children aged two to five years

Abstract

The altruistic behavior, studied under different labels is a behavior of moral nature essential for the human relations maintenance, is associated with adequate socioemotional development and is a potential inhibitor of antisocial behavior. This is extremely relevant, especially in childhood since most moral behaviors begin at this stage. This study aimed to investigate the verbal report of children aged from 2 to 5 years in the face of problem situations that have brought opportunities for the altruistic behaviors expression. Additionally, the perception of parents and teachers about the child's possible choices was investigated. The results showed that more than half of the children indicated altruistic responses appropriate to the problem situation in question. This indicates that from an early age children are sensitive to the need of the others, and make it possible to reflect on the various ways in which parents and teachers as reference figures can plan opportunities for the effective exercise of altruism.

Keywords

• Altruísmo na infância
• Comportamento altruísta
• Infância
• Bondade