How do you encourage positive play between your kids?

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Seann asks:

We have three kids with 2 years in between them. From an early age, we noticed sibling rivalry between the older two and there is nothing that is more rewarding then when they run off to play together. What do you use to encourage positive play between your kids?

In Topics: Parenting siblings

> 60 days ago

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Expert

Louiseasl

Oct 16, 2010

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What the Expert Says:

Hello and thank you for writing to JustAsk,

There are many good resources to help parents foster positive play with their children. Siblings Without Rivalry is an excellent book and also an online resource. Dr. Michele Borba also has written 101 Parenting Solutions- which you may find very helpful.

Also, try to "catch" positive moments and maximize them by praising your children for being cooperative, helpful to each other and showing mutual respect.

Best wishes-

Louise Sattler, NCSP
Nationally Certified School Psychologist

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Additional Answers (2)

Gail4 writes:

I have two boys that are four years apart. I do not have an overall strategy but I am aware that there were certain types of activites where my kids played cooperatively. I found beach activities to be especially great. They played very well together in the sand. They could do this for hours. I also found bedtme stories t be good. I would emphasize activities that are by its nature cooperative.

> 60 days ago

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JSorrentino writes:

There's a very interesting article on sibling rivalry in the magazine section of this site called "Sibling Revelry: Raising Kids Who Get Along." It can be viewed at:
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Sibling_Revelry_Raising_Kids_Who/

> 60 days ago

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