A Study of Social Dynamics in Early Childhood Education Using the PEARS Model as a Mathematical Approach to the Spread of Cooperative and Independent Behaviors

This study introduces the PEARS (Potential Adopters, Exposed, Active Adopters, Reluctant Adopters, Stable Adopters) model as a mathematical framework to analyze the spread of cooperative and independent behaviors in early childhood education (ECE) settings. Traditional qualitative methods have limitations in capturing the complexity of social dynamics within classrooms, so the PEARS model, adapted from epidemiological models, offers a fresh quantitative approach. The model categorizes children into five behavioral stages, tracking the transition from initial exposure to stable adoption. Through differential equations, the PEARS model quantifies behavioral spread and interactions, allowing the calculation of key metrics, including the basic reproduction number , which indicates the likelihood of behavior propagation within the group. Numerical simulations underscore the model's applicability in predicting behavior spread and evaluating intervention strategies, facilitating data-driven insights into enhancing positive social dynamics among young children. These findings have implications for designing pedagogical interventions aimed at fostering cooperative and independent behaviors in ECE environments.