THE ROLE OF ATTRACTIVE RELATIONSHIPS IN DEVELOPING EXPRESSIVE COMPETENCE: RESULTS OF AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Attractive relationships—warm, positive, emotionally supportive interpersonal interactions—play a central role in the psychological and communicative development of children. In early childhood and middle childhood, expressive competence becomes the foundation for social interaction, emotional regulation, and academic success. The present study examines the role of attractive relationships in developing expressive competence through an experimental intervention implemented with 80 children aged 5–7 years in a preschool and early primary school setting. The intervention aimed to enhance expressive abilities through structured social–emotional activities, cooperative games, and guided communication tasks. Using mixed research methods, including observational checklists, expressive language tests, and socio-emotional assessments, the study evaluated how supportive, attractive peer–adult relationships influence children’s expressive competence. Quantitative findings reveal a significant improvement in verbal expressiveness, clarity of emotional expression, and contextual communication among children exposed to attractive relationship-based pedagogical practices (p < 0.01). Qualitative data further highlight the importance of trust, empathy, and positive group climate in promoting expressive development. The findings suggest that attractive relationships serve as a mediating factor that improves communicative motivation, reduces anxiety, enhances verbal fluency, and fosters expressive confidence. The study concludes with pedagogical implications for preschool educators and recommendations for integrating attractive relationship-building strategies into educational programs.