Nursery World - Brothers & sisters

Whether they are overprotective or constantly fighting, siblings need to be treated as individuals if they are to realise their full potential, writes Jennie Lindon Children's social interactions are often with their peers, but for many children, their social life also includes siblings. Nurseries, playgroups, schools and out-of-school care will sometimes have children with one or more siblings in the same setting, although not always in the same group or class.

Children's social interactions are often with their peers, but for many children, their social life also includes siblings. Nurseries, playgroups, schools and out-of-school care will sometimes have children with one or more siblings in the same setting, although not always in the same group or class.

So what kind of impact could there be on children's behaviour, if they attend the same setting as a sibling? Just as important, in what ways could adults' behaviour change when they realise that children are siblings?

It is worth recalling that, although many siblings will share the same mother and father, some children will be half-siblings (one parent in common) or step-siblings (no birth parent in common). But if children have been in the same family for years, they will feel just as much brother and sister as children whose birth family has never changed.

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