And then there were 2! Sibling Sense Class Page
Class Description:
Although conflict marks the sibling relationship by and large in our culture, it’s actually difference that is the bedrock of the sibling relationship. Managing these differences well can lead to profound developmental progress for your older child & infant. While differences can often lead to conflicts and they are bound to occur, conflicts need not mark the sibling dynamics in your home. How you manage differences will set the stage for your children’s development & your family dynamic in the short & long term. In the class, we will begin to map out how you can plan to raise 2 starting from before you give birth to the immediate postpartum period & beyond.
Syllabus Snapshot & Resources:
Pre-Class Reading Suggestions:
- Sibling Dynamics: How Well Do You Get Along
- How to Raise Siblings Who Get Along
- How Toddlers Thrive by Tovah Klein
- Developmental Milestones
- The Third Rail of Family Systems: Sibling Relationships, Mental and Behavioral Health, and Preventive Intervention in Childhood and Adolescence
Days 1 & 2 Key Objectives:
Setting foundations for a strong sibling relationship & second birth experience:
-Reflecting on sibling experiences
-Exploring strong sibling relationships
-Understanding the developmental significance of the sibling relationship over the lifespan
-Birth review: Birth Physiology, Safe Birthing Practices, Common Interventions, Positions & Movement, Comfort & Coping, Prep for Immediate Postpartum Transition
Days 1 & 2 Resources:
- Comfort in labor PDF
- Peanut ball tips and use instructions PDF
- Comprehensive list of Birth Sense resources https://birthsense.us/resources/ password: student1@3
- Documents shared: Birth Sense Labor Tips, 20 coping strategies, Positions for labor PDF, Take Charge Routine, Take Care Routine (editable doc), Pillow pile image
Days 3 & 4 Key Objectives:
Understanding & managing developmental differences between infants & toddlers:
-How to manage the needs of different children with distinct developmental needs before those differences lead to conflict
-Key sibling expressions to track & how to manage them
-Vision casting managing sibling dynamics after birth Part I
-Looking ahead to sibling conflict management
Days 3 & 4 Resources:
- Infant milestones
- Toddler milestones
- Downloadable checklists for milestones
- Additional developmental resources to help children meet milestones
- Sibling Transition Plan
Day 5 Key Objectives:
Planning for key sibling preparation strategies before, during & immediately after the birth including sibling “ceremony”:
-Telling birth stories
-How to involve your older child in the birthing process, as desired
-Integrating early sibling dynamics & conflict
Day 5 Resources:
Additional Resources
Resources for Older Siblings:
Books:
- Berenstain Bears New Baby
- God Gave Us Two
- Babies Don’t Eat Pizza
- Sisters & Brothers: Sibling Dynamics in the Animal World
- I Am a Big Brother!
- The New Baby
- You’re the Biggest
- There’s a Baby in the House
- The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby
- Wonderbly Customizable Books
Toys & Activities:
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