by Nichole Grzych

Created on: January 21, 2009   Last Updated: November 21, 2011

It is truly possible to get toddlers to share without going into a frenzy! One does not have to spend much time or patience on such a task.  It must be done creatively and with love. I do know that sharing and toddlers is just as common as a concern as them learning to walk, talk, eat properly, and learn counting to ten and the alphabet. Counting to one hundred may seem insanely difficult and time consuming to teach a toddler but it all can be made easy as this guidance on how a toddler shares.

Sharing is a state of mind a toddler has reached. To get toddlers to share one must be in the state of mind of sharing first.  Be a role model. It is important first for the toddler to know that they have something and that they can have ownership of. Sharing does not make sense without ownership in mind. Let a toddler take a favorite toy or stuffed animal and say that it is their own by using the word "mine". They have to know this is "mine". A toddler must be allowed to love the object and do whatever they please. They must be taught that object is theirs to do whatever they please with in a safe and carefree manner without any anger or violence.  This takes watching the toddler with patience and guidance.  You need not a hawk eys.  Do care and give attention to the toddler.

The next stage to sharing is to allow that toddler to give something that is just an object that is not favored to another child, youth, or adult. Let the toddler understand that that object no longer belongs to them and that it belongs to the person it was given to for play. This is an easy way to teach a child to let go. Tell the child that the object belongs to someone else and it is very nice to share and for them to play in their own way.

Sharing is a concept that is learned and not accepted or forced. Let the child first get into play with other children around their age after they have the concept that whatever is theirs is there for their own fun and enjoyment. Coax the toddler into fun and engagement with others and the toy for creative fun and not ordered fun.  A place like a park is perfect for this or just let the neighborhood kids play with them in your yard.

Fun and enjoyment along with the child's own creativity is the key to success when teaching a child not to bond with anything too possessively. Being around children frequently in playful environments geared to children are the easiest places for that child to learn that this

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