Peers
As your child ventures out into the social world, he's sure to meet the influences of peer pressure. That's not to say that peer pressure at the preschool or toddler age is the same as what a high-schooler would see (it's extremely unlikely that the other 4-year-olds are going to push your preschooler to drink a beer), but the influence of like-aged friends is a real factor. If little Johnny sees that Jeremy can't get enough of playing with toy trains, it's likely that he'll want to try them out too. It's not uncommon for preschool-aged kids to influence each other's likes, dislikes and choice of activities. Additionally, interactions with other children can quickly shape your child's critical-thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Group activities such as tag and hide-and-seek often mean that children must negotiate others' behaviors and learn how to adjust.