10 Tips For Teaching Your Toddler How to Share

What are tips to help my toddlers learn how to share?

1. Start when they’re young

2. Encourage taking turns

3. Help them wait for their turn

4. Model sharing for them

5. Narrate as you go

6. Read them stories about sharing

7. Give opportunities for more interactions

8. Prepare them for playdates

9. Let them work it out

10. Thank them when they share

Learning to share is a process. Your child isn’t born knowing how to share, and they certainly aren’t capable of mastering it overnight. But they must learn this skill early on in life, as it helps them build a strong foundation for future interpersonal relationships.

So how can you help your children grasp the concept? If you need help, then follow our top tips for teaching toddlers how to share:

Start when they’re young

You must start this learning process as early as possible. From the time your baby starts grabbing at and playing with toys, introduce the concept of sharing. Do this by passing their toys or other objects between the two of you, while saying “my turn” or “time to share.” This is the first step that will help them learn about sharing. 

Encourage taking turns

One of the biggest obstacles toddlers face with sharing is that they believe doing so means losing their precious toys! The best way to help them learn that it is not the case is by encouraging turn-taking. 

It helps your toddler learn about the back and forth of sharing items with others. Eventually, they will realize that sharing their favorite things isn’t so bad and they’ll get their valuable, prized toys back eventually. 

Help them wait for their turn

That said, it’s common for toddlers to be possessive of their stuff, which can lead to some pretty big, negative emotions when they have to take turns with others. Waiting for just a few minutes might seem like an eternity to them! 

So, you can help out by playing with them while they wait for their turn. Remind them that their turn is coming soon, but in the meantime, you two can do something fun together! And don’t be discouraged when they get upset and cry . It’s a normal reaction. Let them have space to express their feelings, and they’ll eventually brighten up and move on to something else.

Model sharing for them

Your toddler will soak up everything you say and do like a sponge, so take every opportunity to model the act of sharing for them. If someone asks to borrow your things, show them you’re happy to do so.

You must model sharing regularly, so try integrating it throughout your day with your child. You can even make small moments like sharing a snack or a seat a teachable moment for them. 

Narrate as you go

Talking about what you’re doing as you model it will help reinforce the lesson in their young minds. It also explains why you’re agreeing to share with other people! You can do the same when they share their things with others.

While narrating, try to use descriptive words as you go. For example, when your toddler shares their toy with a friend, you could say “did you see them smile when you shared your favorite car? They liked that you shared.” This will draw their attention to concrete details of what they did.

Read them stories about sharing

We’ve talked about why reading time is so good for reinforcing your toddler’s interpersonal skills, and the same goes for sharing! There are many great books you can read to your toddler to help them learn more about empathy and kindness, which are at the root of sharing. Try our 101 Animal Stories book for your next reading time to reinforce these great concepts in their minds!

Give opportunities for more interactions

Playtime with others is a great way for your toddler to pick up important social skills, including sharing. Give your child plenty of opportunities to be with other children their age. Doing this will put them in a place where they can practice taking turns and sharing, as well as being shared with. 

Prepare them for playdates

That said, you can do a lot to help them prepare for their playdates. Buying toys in sets, like this 3 in 1 Super Transformable Robot, Castle Set, and Kitchen Set from Funtastic Stuff will give your toddler plenty of toys to take turns with when their friends come over. 

You can also preempt sharing struggles by talking to them about how they feel about sharing their toys with their friends. If they have any particular toys they’re reluctant to share, you can give them the option of putting them away before your visitors arrive. 

Let them work it out

Once they’re with their friends, observe them. Encourage them to be generous with the toys they have, but know that it’s normal for conflict to happen now and again. When it does, the best thing to do might be to take a step back and let your kids work things out on their own.

This allows them to work on their communication skills on top of sharing. However, if the conflict moves from verbal to physical, then adult intervention to use this as a teaching moment would be helpful.

Thank them when they share

When they do agree to share, especially if they do so on their own, be sure to thank them! A little acknowledgment and positive reinforcement go a long way for your growing toddler. It motivates them to keep up with their attempts to share with others.

Key Takeaway

It’s normal for children, especially toddlers, to struggle with the concept of sharing. But, using our top tips for teaching toddlers how to share should help them through this process, and reinforce more positive social skills!