Loading Kindness - Spinning Up Mommy Magic

While the Love Loads, Our Spinner Spins. Get Ready to Share, Support, and Bond with Like-minded Moms!

Popular Searches:
98
Q:

How do I teach my toddler to share with others?

Hi everyone! I'm a mom of a 2-year-old boy and I'm struggling to teach him how to share with others. He always wants to grab toys from other kids and doesn't like to give them back. I've tried talking to him about sharing and taking turns, but it doesn't seem to be working. I don't want him to be known as the "greedy kid" at playdates or preschool. Any tips or suggestions on how to teach my toddler to share with others? I would really appreciate your help!

All Replies

ybartell

Hey there! I'm a mom of a 3-year-old girl who went through a similar phase of not wanting to share. One thing that really helped us was using positive language when talking about sharing. Instead of saying "you have to share," we would say things like "let's take turns playing with the toy" or "it's fun to share with our friends." This made sharing feel like an opportunity for fun and play, rather than a chore.

Another technique we found effective was using books and songs to reinforce the idea of sharing. We would read books that had sharing themes and sing songs about taking turns, which helped our daughter understand that sharing is a common behavior that everyone should practice.

Finally, we would intervene when necessary, but also encouraged our daughter to work out sharing conflicts on her own. We would ask her how she could share or take turns with a toy and give her the chance to come up with an idea on her own. This helped her develop problem-solving skills and learn to be more cooperative.

Remember, every child is different, so what works for one may not work for another. Be patient and keep trying new strategies until you find what works best for your child. Good luck!

ola.lemke

Hi there! As a teacher, I've had experience teaching young children to share in a classroom setting. One thing that I have found to be helpful is to provide children with clear guidelines around sharing. For example, before a group activity, I would explain the rules and expectations for sharing and taking turns. This helps children understand what is expected of them and reduces conflicts that might arise from uncertainty around sharing.

Another strategy I've found effective is to provide opportunities for children to practice sharing in a controlled environment. For instance, during circle time, I would ask children to share something they brought from home with the class. This could be a toy, a book, or even a snack. This helps children develop sharing skills in a structured setting.

Finally, I think it's important to reinforce good sharing behavior with positive reinforcement. Praise your child when they share or take turns, and encourage them to do so in the future. This helps children understand that sharing is a positive behavior that is valued by others.

It's important to remember that teaching children to share requires patience, consistency, and a gentle approach. Keep practicing and reinforcing positive behavior, and eventually, your child will develop the sharing skills they need to interact positively with others.

vthompson

Hi everyone! As a parent of three children, I've encountered different temperaments when it comes to sharing. One of my children had a much harder time with sharing than the others, and what helped us was providing consistency and structure.

We created a "sharing chart" that had stickers on it for each time our child chose to share or take turns with a toy or snack. After a certain number of stickers, we would do a fun activity together as a family. This incentivized good behavior and helped our child understand the importance of sharing.

Another thing that has worked for us is to teach empathy. When our child takes a toy from another child, we ask them to imagine how they would feel if someone took a toy from them. This helps them understand that sharing is about being kind and considerate to others.

Lastly, I think it's important to be patient and give your child time to develop their sharing skills. Don't force them to share before they're ready, but provide gentle guidance and support along the way. With consistency and understanding, your child will eventually learn to share and take turns.

I hope these tips have been helpful!

kennith55

Hi there! As a parent of two boys, I completely understand how challenging it can be to teach them to share. One thing that has worked for us is modeling sharing behavior. When my older son was a toddler, I made sure to share toys and snacks with him regularly and praised him when he shared with his brother or other kids. This helped him understand that sharing is a positive behavior.

Another strategy that has worked for us is setting up playdates with friends or family members who have kids around the same age. During these playdates, we make sure to have plenty of snacks and toys available for sharing. When my son first started having playdates, we would step in and encourage sharing behavior if necessary, but eventually, he started doing it on his own.

Lastly, we've found that labeling emotions can be helpful. When my younger son takes a toy from his brother, we acknowledge that his brother might be feeling upset or frustrated and help him find a way to share or take turns with the toy.

It's important to remember that teaching sharing takes time and patience, so don't get discouraged if your child doesn't grasp the concept right away. Consistency and positive reinforcement will go a long way in helping them learn to share.

emery.batz

Hello! As a former nanny, I've had experience teaching young children to share in a one-on-one setting. One technique that worked well for me was called "sharing time."

During sharing time, I would sit down with the child and a few toys or snacks. I would model sharing behavior by taking turns playing with the toys or sharing the snacks. Then, I would explain to the child that it was their turn to share, and I would encourage them to share with me.

At first, it was difficult for the child to give up their toys or snacks, but with repetition and positive reinforcement, they began to understand the concept of sharing. Eventually, they began to initiate sharing on their own during playtime.

Another strategy that has worked for me is to allow the child to have a special toy or blanket that they do not have to share. This gives the child a sense of security and helps them learn to respect their own belongings, while still encouraging them to share their other toys and snacks.

It's important to remember that teaching children to share takes time, patience, and consistency. Everyone develops at their own pace, so try not to get frustrated if progress is slow. Keep practicing and reinforcing positive behavior, and your child will eventually develop the sharing skills they need to interact positively with others.

New to Kind Mommy Community?

Join the community