CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT

Why is Play with Siblings and Peers Important for Children's Development?



The influences that affect a child's development can be many and varied. More specifically, the various interactions they have with other people can add to their growing understanding of their social world. It is through the everyday occurrences that children learn how to handle and make sense of what can be a complex environment. In considering the influence of play with siblings and peers on a child's development four main areas will be discussed; the nature and context of relationships and whether they are complementary or reciprocal; two different kinds of play, socio-dramatic and thematic fantasy; how play can influence development and the role of language and laughter in interpreting social signals (Santrock, 2007).

As children develop it would seem that different kinds of relationships influence development in varying ways. The nature and context of interactions will differ according to the people involved and will bring unique and significant experiences to the developmental process. These interactions can be seen as complementary and/or reciprocal relationships. As Schaffer (2003) points out that complementary relationships serve to “provide children with security and protection and to enable them to gain knowledge and acquire skills” (Schaffer, 2003). These relationships take place when one individual has more power or knowledge than the other, for example parent/child or teacher/student interactions. On the other hand reciprocal relationships are one of equals. The purpose of reciprocal interactions Schaffer (2003) suggests is to gain experiences/skills that can only be acquired through a mutual, equal relationship, skills such as being competitive, how to co-operate with others and how to resolve conflict. Reciprocal relationships can be seen in the interactions between peers and siblings. Some kids are more fond of playing with older colleagues. Parents are often proud of it, considering such a choice the child manifestation of its advanced development. Sometimes the desire to play with the senior really due to the fact that the child is intellectually ahead of his peers, so they do not take it to the game (it's all too complicated) or he "had long outgrown" the interests of their peers (Michael, 1978).

However, the cause of more effective communication with older children may be covered in the other - are not well developed in the child's ability to communicate on an equal footing. Imagine that you are dealing with unrestrained, capricious, or an adult conflict. How will flow your communication? Naturally, it will cause you irritation, and at the earliest opportunity you have to stop. Now try to imagine a similar situation of communication, but only with the child. In it you will feel "higher" and "smarter" that will allow you to have patience and be forgiving to many negative manifestations of the child. Much the same happens in the child's communication with peers and children older than herself (Greenough, 1993).

The playing with peers and siblings plays a key role in development of children. Often regarded as a mere occupation or amusement, play is a real ...