Your child’s words look adorable until he gets angry and refuses to share his toys with equally possessive toddlers.
Young children love passionately what they love. At this stage of their development, they cannot yet be asked to leave their shell and show enough empathy to share with others. It is about four or five years before they develop the capacity to perceive things from another point of view.
Nevertheless, begin to prepare the ground for sharing.
1. Sharing begins with you
Toddlers like to imitate others, especially parents. Begin by teaching them how to behave and share. Give your child a few mouthfuls of your meal. Let him hold the spoon when you mix the pancake batter saying “I share” to convey that concept.
2. Hide your favorite toys
Your child is probably not ready to share his favorite toys. Before visiting his friends, allow him to hide these toys and tell him that the rest must be shared with the group. If possible, buy duplicates of his favorite toys and tell him to share them with his friends.
3. Change your activity
Start a group activity when toys cause a sharing war. Drawing or making clay biscuits can replace the game with a shared object.
4. Teach her to share the game
When your child plays with a Lego game, ask, “Can Dad have it too?” He will know that you want to share the pleasure. If he resists, pull back briefly and come back to try. Participate in the game when the child lets himself be convinced and gives you his building blocks. The idea is to show her that sharing can lead to participation and even more fun.
5. Wait your turn
At mealtimes, do a little wait for the child before satisfying his natural inclination to eat or drink something he loves. For example, ask her to start by passing the juice to Aunt Helene who is thirsty. Thank the child when it is running.
6. A Helping Hand
Of course, sharing sometimes involves a helping hand. Ask your child’s help by asking her to carry an item in her room or take a plate to the kitchen after dinner.
7. Share a plate
In the presence of a group of young children, it is difficult to prevent them from catching what they like to eat at the time of the snack. Rather than giving everyone a plate of snacks, put all the apple slices on a single plate. Then introduce the plate to each child who will learn the idea of waiting for his turn.
8. Not to be
If the child refuses to share, do not punish him or try to cajole him to change his behavior. Do not make it a drama. Express your disappointment and turn the page. Try another day. You are here for a few more years.
Sometimes it is good to let the children solve their own problems. If your child does not share with his friends, they will not hesitate to let him know their displeasure.