Seven tips to help your child get along better with others

1. Set your expectations wisely

Since most siblings argue, parents should maintain reasonable expectations that their children get along well with each other.

"The reality is, if you have multiple children under the age of 5, you can expect about every six minutes that the kids are going to have some kind of dispute, not hair pulling, but some kind of argument," Mann said. "Then parents will understand that the road to solving the problem is a long one."

Try starting with simple strategies like asking quarreling children to play quietly, help each other, share toys, and cooperate.

2. Avoid Comparisons Between Siblings

One of the most important rules for ensuring family harmony is to make sure you never let a child feel that he or she is better or worse than the other siblings.

"Don't try to encourage your child with comparison, no matter how you want to direct your child: Look at how well your brother is doing, why can't you be like him?" Mann advises. "Children are doing what they like naturally, so don't interfere. After all, would you enjoy playing games with someone you constantly have to compete with?"

3. Let everyone win when playing games

Older children can handle competition better, but younger children may have a harder time competing, Mann said. “Cooperative games allow everyone to win or lose together, encouraging everyone to help each other rather than cheating to get first,” she explained.

"The best thing about this kind of game is that you can make any game cooperative. At the end of the game, everyone will be at the finish line, so it's no big deal," Mann said. "Remind your child, your family, that you need to help each other. Older kids can help younger kids and vice versa."

4. Rely on established rules

If you find that the arguments that often occur are mainly around who gets to sit in the car, who gets to get the treat first, or who gets to sit next to the parent at mealtimes, etc., then you need to establish a standard rule to decide.

“This is often used by teachers in daycare centers, who will schedule special days where the children take turns handing out snacks or deciding who gets to sit next to an adult during story time,” Mann said. “When these events are determined by a neutral third party, it eliminates conflict because it’s not mom and dad’s choice, it’s the calendar that dictates it.”

5. Leave some independent space for children

Children often start territorial battles, hoping to have their own place and space in the family. Make life easier by giving each child something that is unique to him or her.

“Even if kids share a bedroom, it’s important to have separate spaces for them, whether that’s a bookshelf or a specific area, to define each child’s space,” Mann advises. "Children also often try to compete for their parents' attention. Each child needs to have some alone time with their parents, away from their siblings."

6. Don’t let boredom lead to war

When there is nothing to do and parents don't pay attention to the children, children will fight with each other. This type of conflict is nothing to worry about, Mann said.

“Fighting doesn’t always happen because a conflict breaks out, sometimes fighting itself is just part of the game,” she said. "For example, in the car, if they are bored, children will choose to have a fight, which brings excitement and also gets the attention of their parents, which is a big reward for them."

If you know your kids will always be looking for something to do, bring along something to keep them busy, whether it's books, a DVD player or games the whole family can play together.

7. Share your own stories with your children

Sometimes it can be helpful for parents to share stories from their own childhood to help their children relate and find similar situations with their own siblings, Mann suggests. “It’s good to have stories in books, or any examples you can remember, about how to get along with other children, learn to share and respect each other.