Patterns of relationships between children and kindergarten teachers

Patterns of kindergarten teacher's perceptions of their relationships with students were described in a cluster analysis of responses for 436 children on a teacher-report measure. Six clusters were described: Dependent, Positively Involved, Dysfunctional, Functional/Average, Angry/Dependent, and Uninvolved. Children in these clusters differed significantly in their adjustment in first-grade classrooms, the Dysfunctional and Angry/Dependent clusters showing the most problems. The distribution of cluster group membership across the 26 participating teachers indicated variability across classrooms. The results are discussed in terms of the similarity between teacher-child and parent-child relationships and implications for practice.