Illinois Early Learning Project

IEL Menu

Illinois Early Learning Standards
Benchmarks
Videos: Benchmarks
Videos: Parents
Tip Sheets
Find Resources
Project Approach
FAQs
Ask an Expert
Ask Dr. Katz
Questions
Calendar
IEL Workshops and Exhibits
IEL Electronic Newsletter

View IEL in...

Spanish (español)
Polish Tip Sheets
{Strony z Poradami}
Chinese Tip Sheets

Ask an Expert

 

September 2007Sibling Relationships Amanda Kolburn, Ph.D.
Amanda ColburnThe relationship between brothers and sisters is unique and is usually the longest relationship we will have in our lives. In childhood, sibling relationships are often intense, filled with a variety of emotions such as love and hate, enjoyment and anger, kindness and cruelty, sharing and conflict. As parents, we want children to get along—not just to make life easier for us, but because children'ssiblings can be sources of support, caring, and fun. Siblings also learn the importance of social skills such as sharing and caring from each other. Keep in mind that some fighting can be a normal part of sibling relationships; this is one way that children learn how to negotiate conflicts with others. The challenge for parents is to promote positive interactions between brothers and sisters while also giving them tools to handle conflict effectively.

Illinois State Board of EducationNOTE: There may be publications on this page that are available as PDF (portable document format) files. To be able to read these files, download the free Adobe Reader.
-----

Disclaimer

The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.

The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.

About IEL
Take the IEL Survey
Electronic Newsletter
Contact IEL
Search
Site Map
IEL Home
IL Organizations
Early Childhood Initiatives in Illinois
Gateways to Opportunity
IECAM
Illinois Parents