Sharing: a Tough Battle

Kids do not like to share. There is one age in particular that sharing becomes a constant struggle. This is during the Toddler years. Th term Toddler can be referred to during ages one and one half, to two and a half years of age. This is the age that can be the scene of sharing struggles and sharing battles. This is because at this age, children are centered on themselves. They have overcome the baby stage at this point. Now they are beginning to realize who they are. They begin to see at this point that they are their own person. They also come to terms with whether they are a boy or a girl.

They do know the difference at this point in their life. This is also the time when children tend to keep and play by themselves. Why? Is this healthy? It is extremely healthy! Children need to enhance who they are and increase play with imagination. Children can learn imagination with others, but it really starts with one child. The fact that children are playing alone may be the reason that at this age, they have a hard time sharing with other kids. Every word used many times, is "Mine!". This is completely natural. It is just a stage of childhood that every single child will go through.

Will the child always be like this? No, children will overcome this. In most cases this is so and they will get over it very fast. However, in some cases, if the child is never made to share, that could be a problem as well. If a child is not made to share they may never learn. This will be a constant struggle even up into their adult life. After all, we learn during our childhood the ways of life.

So how can you get your child to share? There are a few things that will help your child share in no time at all! One of these tactics is having them play or be around other children. Being around other kids is actually the best way there is to get your child to share. You can have play dates where a friend of your child comes over, or you can enroll them in a part time day care. All of this type of exposure to other kids, is very healthy for your child.

Another great way to learn sharing is to practice at home. Make sure that you share too. Children pick up habits from adults faster than anywhere else. It is very important that your child sees and interacts with you in a sharing situation. Sharing is something that is very important. We all need to share. It can be tough for your Toddler to understand that at first, but practicing with them will certainly help. Make sure your child practices at home and makes sharing a habit. Getting that habit in early, is best! The earlier the better when it comes sharing.