Learning to share

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In reality, children are constantly learning about sharing, and learning to play fairly and cooperatively. You can help your child learn to share by letting him know how to share, encouraging him when he tries, and praising him when he does well.

Your toddler will have little idea about sharing. Toddlers believe that they are the centre of the world and that everything belongs to them.

Your child may start to understand the concept of taking turns by the age of three, but will still be likely to have a tantrum if a toy is taken away. At this age, your child will still find it hard to wait for anything.

By preschool age your child knows a bit more about the idea of sharing, but may still be reluctant to translate this idea into action. Your child may need to be encouraged to share with other children. You can remind him how bad he would feel if someone took his toy – talking to him about other children’s feelings helps build his sense of empathy. But your child is still very much living in his own head and has little understanding that other people also have thoughts and emotions.

You'll find that your child will now be able to wait a bit longer for things, but he will still be impatient at times.

By the time your child is at school, he will start to understand that other people have feelings separate to his, and he will be grasping the notion of taking turns and sharing. But he will still need you to remind and support him when it comes to sharing.

At this age your child is much more patient, and tolerant, and is eager to do the right thing. Your child is now able to form more complex relationships, which really helps him with the idea of sharing.

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