Having an Older Sibling Isn't All Bad

Older siblings who are sensitive to the cognitive needs of younger siblings can moderate the negative effects of family size on language development.

Growing up in a large family has been negatively associated with language acquisition and educational outcomes. One hypothesis is the dilution of parental resources in large families. Can an older sibling's cognitive sensitivity moderate this effect? Researchers examined this question in 385 children (mean age, 3 years) and their next-in-age older siblings (mean age, 5.5 years) who participated in a longitudinal birth cohort study of social and educational development. Cognitive sensitivity was based on the older person's ability to understand what the younger sibling knows, understands, or needs and the ability to rephrase or give positive feedback.

Receptive vocabulary was measured in younger siblings at age 3 years. Cognitive sensitivity …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics