SIBLINGS help build brains BROTHERS AND SISTERS IMPACT ONE ANOTHER’S LIVES BY Reggie Dogan STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE
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here are few influences more meaningful than a brother or sister. In many ways, older siblings play a significant role in the lives of their younger siblings. Like parents, older brothers and sisters act as role models and teachers, helping their younger siblings learn about the world. This positive influence became the driving force behind Studer Community Institute’s Sibling Brain Builders. SCI believes the sibling relationship is a natural place for younger children to learn, develop and grow.
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And Sibling Brain Builders is the perfect place to bring older sisters and brothers together into the cause of helping prepare their younger siblings for kindergarten. “Most of our programs have been aimed at assisting parents to develop better skills to help their children but did not directly target siblings themselves,” said Shannon Nickinson, SCI director of early learning. “Sibling Brain Builders was designed specifically to encourage sibling bonding and family engagement through reading, sharing and learning.”
BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE
Currently, SCI has two projects in selected elementary schools and one middle school for students to be a part of Sibling Brain Builders. Media specialists and administrators at Lincoln Park, Montclair, O.J. Semmes and C.A. Weis elementary schools encourage students in third to fifth grades to read at home with their younger siblings. SCI provides books, materials, bookmarks and incentives to give to students who participate. At Bellview Middle School, teacher Dee Wright provides selected middle
