For 4-year-olds, friends aren't just playmates; they're examples of different behaviors, values, and ways of life. Preschoolers want to invite their friends over to their houses to show off their homes, families, and possessions. More than anything, they want to please their new companions, and they may experiment with new behaviors to fit in.
References
- Shelov, S. P. (Editor-in-Chief). (2004). Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. The American Association of Pediatrics. Revised edition. New York: Bantam Books.