Activities for Toddlers to Get Along With Their Baby Siblings

Many toddlers express mixed feelings about the arrival of a new baby in their household. While toddlers advance significantly through the first two years of life, they still need a lot of nurturing and attention. Newborn babies deflect the attention of parents, leaving toddlers feeling neglected and resentful of their new sibling. Young children first experience social skills by forming relationships with brothers and sisters. Engaging your toddler in activities related to the new baby at home will foster a positive relationship between them.

  1. Helping Out

    • Recruit your toddler to pitch in with baby related chores. By helping to care for the baby, a toddler will assume a mature and positive role in the home. Small tasks, such as fetching diapers, holding the bottle, and helping with baths will help toddlers to show love to a baby sibling. Reinforce the idea of your toddler as a "big kid" by contrasting their capabilities to the many limitations of the new baby. Toddlers who value their maturity will feel responsibility for a baby sibling rather than animosity.

    Baby Pictures

    • Parents record and share the milestones of babies by taking many photographs. When taking these photos of the new baby, make sure to snap plenty of pictures of your toddler as well. You can also give your toddler a child's digital camera for him to shoot pictures of the baby as well. Print the photos on computer paper and let your toddler collage them into a scrapbook for the baby. Use this time to revisit the old photos and scrapbooks from your toddler's baby years and show pride for his growth and development.

    Sibling Gift Exchange

    • When out shopping, pick up small tokens for toddlers and new baby siblings to exchange with each other. Toddlers might pick out a small baby toy or pacifier while you package a stuffed toy or coloring book for the baby to give. Crediting the baby for the gift will help to create a bond between the siblings. Work with your toddlers on crafts for the new baby and post them in the nursery as a symbol of their emerging friendship.

    Talking and Singing to Baby

    • Toddlers have a hard time getting along with new babies when they lack interaction with them. Leading your toddler in communication activities with the new baby will give her a chance to build a relationship. Encourage your toddler to entertain the baby by singing songs, tickling her feet and playing peek-a-boo. Toddlers might even talk to new babies about the world, family and their favorite things. This activity will set the stage for a lifetime of conversations with siblings.

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