Time structure and sex differences in Swedish preschools

559 children 5-6 years old were observed in 72 full time and 43 part time preschools in Sweden. Activities, language and group constellations were coded according to the Categories used in the Oxford Preschool Study. A significant effect was found between sex and form of preschool as to language interaction between the child and the personnel. Girls in full time preschools were found to have more long dialogues with the adults favouring their sexual identity, while girls in part time preschools were more passive and silent. Boys in part time preschools had relatively more verbal interaction with the adults and got more attention from them than boys in full time preschools who were found to have more peer interaction. The results are interpreted as an interaction between sex and educational structure of the preschool.