Investigating Bidirectional Links Between the Quality of Teacher–Child Relationships and Children’s Interest and Pre‐Academic Skills in Literacy and Math

This study investigated bidirectional links between the quality of teacher–child relationships and children’s interest and pre‐academic skills in literacy and math. Furthermore, differences in the patterns of bidirectionality between boys and girls were explored. Participants were 461 Finnish kindergarteners (6‐year‐olds) and their teachers ( n = 48). Teachers reported their closeness and conflict with each child twice throughout the...