Helping Children Solve Their Problems

April 27, 2011

According to Georgia Kight, Department of Family and Consumer Services at North Carolina State Universtiy (September, 2000), learning to get along with others is one of the most important lessons that children learn.  The home is often the first place where this learning takes place.  Understanding why children quarrel helps parents respond in appropriate ways.

 Reasons that children quarrel may include:

1. Their basic needs are not being met: Children who are hungry, tired or bored are not going to feel cooperative.

2. They want attention: If children don’t get the attention they want by doing positive things, they learn quickly that they will get plenty of attention by acting out.

3. Wanting companionship but not knowing how to get it from a sibling: Starting a quarrel is a sure way to get a sibling to interact.

4. Personal Power: Children love to experiment to see what they can get their sibling to do.

Look for some suggestions on ways to deal with these issues next week!

Filed under: Sibling Rivalry