Parents who are wondering how to stop their children arguing with each other over the summer break may be interested to hear how competition between siblings could actually be good for their development.

According to a study by the University of Cambridge's Centre for Family Research, brothers and sisters who squabble with each other are developing vital social and conflict-resolution skills that will be highly useful later in life, the Irish Independent reports.

Dr Claire Hughes, author of Social Understanding and Social Lives, which is based on the research, stated: "The more combative siblings are ... the more they are learning complex lessons about communication and the subtleties of language."

The study noted that it is important, however, that disputes are not resolved in a manner where one child always has to give way to another.

Earlier this month, the newspaper also stated that it is important for kids to be active over the summer, which may prevent them becoming bored and argumentative.

Encouraging them to join clubs and adding active toys to a garden could be ways of achieving this.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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