This study examined naturally-occurring gendered nonverbal behavior in three and four year old children at a Midwestern preschool facility. The researcher used the ethnographic method of complete-observation. Eighteen hours of observations yielded field notes that highlighted the children's use of nonverbal communication, primarily physical appearance, artifacts, proxemics, kinesics, and haptics. These behaviors were observed within same-sex and mixed-sex groups of children as well as interactions between adults and children. The findings, for the most part, were congruent with former research studies and indicated that gender differences are present in the nonverbal behavior of the children. However, new and interesting observations were also made. A discussion of limitations and suggestions for future research are also included.
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