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Influence of Siblings on Children's Learning

Much of a child's early learning is made possible as a result of modeling the actions of others. In many cases, it benefits children to have a sibling from whom they can learn simply by observation. Older siblings can be particularly beneficial to the child's language and cognitive development.

  1. Language Development

    • A sibling can influence the child's language development simply by speaking. The child may hear the older sibling speaking to the mother and try to mimic him. Additionally, the sibling can actively work on engaging the younger child in conversation, forcing the child early on to learn language to communicate back.This communication between the siblings may begin as gestures on the part of the younger child and later grow into words.

    Learning by Observation

    • Children who have an older sibling often require less instruction than a child without a sibling present. Studies have found that younger children spend more time interacting with a sibling than with any other person. This gives the younger sibling time and opportunities to observe and learn from the tasks which the older sibling completes. The young child often does not learn these tasks by explanation, but by simply observing.

    Cognitive Development

    • Older siblings have been shown to increase a younger child's cognitive development, which includes memory, attention to detail, perception, reasoning and decision making. The older sibling is able to increase the child's cognitive development by performing "rich, cooperative activities" that the child is observing. Such activities could include something as simple as the older sibling interacting and communicating with the mother.

    Disadvantages

    • While there are many learning benefits for a young child with an older sibling, it can also work in reverse as well. For instance, mothers often address questions and comments to the older sibling, not forcing the younger child to use his verbal skills. Studies have found that when in the presence of an older sibling, the younger child generally allows the sibling to speak for him.

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