Are you struggling with teaching your toddler to share? Do they hold onto their toys and refuse to let others play with them? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
How to teach a toddler to share with others can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for both parents and children.
At this age, toddlers are naturally focused on their own needs and desires as they are still developing social skills and learning how to interact with others. Sharing is not an innate ability but a skill that needs to be nurtured gradually through guidance, patience, and consistent effort.
Parents can help their toddlers understand the value of sharing by creating a supportive environment and using age-appropriate techniques, building foundations for empathy, kindness, and cooperation as they grow.
What Are the Benefits of Teaching a Toddler to Share?
Teaching your toddler to share has numerous benefits both in the short and long term. Some of these advantages include:
- Developing Social Skills: Sharing teaches toddlers how to interact with others, take turns, and compromise—essential social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
- Cultivating Empathy: Sharing helps toddlers understand how others feel when they do not have access to the same things they have. This builds empathy and emotional intelligence as they learn to consider other people’s feelings.
- Learning Patience and Self-control: Waiting for their turn or sharing a toy can be challenging for toddlers, but it teaches them important lessons about patience and self-control.
- Promoting Cooperation: Sharing creates a sense of teamwork and cooperation as toddlers learn to work together towards a common goal, such as building a tower with blocks or playing a game.
- Fostering Positive Relationships: When children share, they are more likely to interact positively with their peers, leading to stronger friendships and better social skills.
Once you understand the benefits of teaching your toddler to share, it becomes easier to approach the topic with patience and determination.
What Will You Need?
Before starting to teach your toddler to share, it’s essential to gather a few things that will help you in the process:
- Toys and Objects: Gather a variety of toys and objects for your toddler to play with. This can include blocks, cars, dolls, or other items they enjoy.
- A Timer: A timer can be helpful when teaching your toddler about sharing during playtime. Set it for short intervals (2-3 minutes) to help them learn how to share and take turns effectively.
- Positive Reinforcement Tools: Positive reinforcement is crucial when teaching toddlers new skills. Consider using stickers, verbal praise, or small rewards like extra reading time or a favorite snack to encourage your toddler when they share.
- A Calm and Supportive Attitude: Toddlers pick up on their parent’s emotions, so it’s essential to approach the topic of sharing with a calm and supportive attitude. Remember to be patient and understanding as your child learns this new skill.
Once you have these essential items, it’s time to start teaching your toddler how to share.
8 Easy Steps on How to Teach a Toddler to Share With Others
Step 1. Model Sharing Behavior:
Children learn best by observing the actions of those around them, especially their parents or caregivers. To model sharing behavior, make a conscious effort to share in your daily activities and narrate your actions as you do so. For example, when eating a snack, offer a portion to your child and say, “I’m sharing my snack with you because I like to share.” Similarly, you can involve siblings, friends, or other family members by demonstrating how to share toys, household items, or even time during games or activities. When your child witnesses sharing in action, they begin to understand its importance and feel encouraged to replicate the behavior in their interactions with others.
Step 2. Encourage Taking Turns:
Teaching toddlers to take turns is an effective way to introduce the concept of sharing. Use activities like board games, passing a ball, or playing with blocks to practice turn-taking. Clearly explain the process by saying, “It’s your turn now, and then it will be my turn.” Praise your child when they successfully wait for their turn, reinforcing patience and fairness. Over time, they will associate turn-taking with positive interactions and be more willing to share with others.
Step 3. Acknowledge and Praise Sharing Behavior:
Positive reinforcement plays a crucial role in encouraging sharing habits. Whenever your toddler shares a toy or a snack or shows kindness to
others, acknowledge their effort with enthusiasm. Say things like, “That was so kind of you to share your toy with your friend!” or “I’m proud of how you shared your crayons.” Praising their behavior helps them feel appreciated and motivates them to continue fostering generosity and thoughtfulness in their actions.
Step 4. Practice Sharing During Playtime:
Playtime is an excellent opportunity to practice sharing. Start by setting a timer for a short interval (2-3 minutes) and allow your toddler to play with a particular toy or object. Once the timer goes off, let them know it’s time to share the toy with someone else, such as a sibling or friend. Praise your child when they successfully share the toy after their allotted time, and gradually increase the intervals as they become more comfortable with sharing.
Step 5. Use Role-playing:
Role-playing is a creative and effective way to teach toddlers the value of sharing in a fun and interactive setting. You can use toys, puppets, or even act out scenarios to demonstrate situations where sharing is essential. For example, pretend to be at a tea party where everyone needs to take turns using the teapot or set up a pretend play situation where a character shares blocks to build something together. Encourage your toddler to participate in these activities by playing the roles of both the sharer and the recipient.
By acting out these scenarios, you provide your child with a safe space to practice social skills and explore the emotions associated with sharing, such as pride, happiness, or even the challenge of letting go of something they enjoy.
Step 6. Celebrate Sharing Successes:
Positive reinforcement is key when teaching toddlers to share. Whenever your child successfully shares or takes turns, acknowledge their effort and celebrate the behavior. Use phrases like, “Great job sharing your toy with
your friend!” or “I’m so proud of you for waiting your turn.” Small rewards, such as stickers or extra storytime, can motivate and encourage your toddler to continue practicing sharing. Recognizing and celebrating these moments reinforces the idea that sharing is a positive and rewarding experience.
Step 7. Be Patient and Consistent:
Teaching toddlers to share is a gradual process that requires patience and consistency. Understand that it is normal for toddlers to struggle with sharing as they are still developing their sense of empathy and self-control. Stay calm during challenging moments and use them as teaching opportunities. Consistently model sharing behavior and gently guide your child through conflicts. Maintaining a steady and supportive approach, you help your toddler build the skills and understanding they need to share successfully over time.
Step 8. Act as a Mediator:
When your toddler is having difficulty sharing, it’s essential to remain calm and act as a mediator rather than a referee. Instead of telling them what to do, encourage them to find a solution and express their feelings. Use phrases like, “I see you both want to play with the same toy. Can you come up with a plan together?” This approach empowers your child to
take ownership of the situation and develop problem-solving skills while promoting positive communication.
By following these steps and establishing a routine of practicing sharing, you can help your toddler develop critical social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Forcing Them to Share Immediately: Don’t compel toddlers to share their toys or belongings on the spot. This can lead to frustration or resentment, making them less willing to share in the future.
- Shaming or Scolding Them: Avoid using guilt-inducing phrases or shaming the child for not sharing. These tactics may damage their self-esteem and hinder the natural process of learning generosity.
- Comparing Them to Other Kids: Comparing your toddler’s behavior to other children can make them feel inadequate and may hurt their confidence. Every child learns and grows at their own pace.
- Ignoring Their Feelings: Dismissing a toddler’s emotions when they struggle with sharing can make them feel unheard. Acknowledge their feelings and guide them gently through the situation.
- Overreacting to Incidents: Toddlers are still learning social skills, and conflicts over sharing are common. Reacting too strongly to such situations can create anxiety and discourage them from trying to share in the future.
Conclusion
How to teach a toddler to share with others is a gradual process that requires patience, encouragement, and understanding.
Children can learn the value of generosity and cooperation by modeling positive sharing behaviors, setting clear but gentle expectations, and celebrating their efforts. Creating a safe and supportive environment where their emotions are acknowledged and respected is essential. Remember, every child develops these skills at their own pace, so the journey requires consistency and empathy.
With time and guidance, toddlers can grow into empathetic and considerate individuals who understand the joy of sharing with others.
