Sharing A two year old is first interested in
watching other children, and then in playing alongside other
children. Toddlers are not old enough to be left to "fight
their own battles, to "play fair", "take turn", or "be nice
to visitors." Give each child similar materials and let each
do as he wishes, guarded from interference. Each will play,
pausing now and then to watch the other, enjoying each
other's presence, and discovering that there are other
children who do the same kinds of things but do them just a
bit differently. Cooperative play and sharing can't be
expected until well into the third year. If your child has
always played where there are other children, this "joining
in" may occur naturally. If your child is not used to
others, he has to learn the vital lessons of taking turns
and giving up and has to discover that it is all worthwhile.
You will do your child a disservice if you always let your
child win at GO FISH, have the biggest strawberries, or be
always first. He is not going to take kindly to playing with
other children who expect justice and reality. As he comes
out of toddler hood, the lesson to "do unto others as you
would have them do unto you" must be taught and reconfirmed.
If you can help him to understand that every child wants to
lead, and only one can; that each child would like to win,
but only one can; that all would like the biggest cake, but
only one can have it; he will at least see how t0 lay
nicely, even if he can't manage to play that way all the
time. COMMON
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Eating
Sharing
