How do I teach her to share?

[tahm563]

My 22 months old toddler recently stopped sharing toys. She would share all her toys when other kids come around. BUT she WILL NOT share toys when she goes to their house. She gets really excited when she sees new toys at her friend's house. Naturally, the kid who owns the toy want to play with his/her toys, but she won't give it to them. She would scream when the kid comes to take his/her toy.

It has become a really embarassing situation for me. I can't even do any playdates with anyone because my daughter wants other kids' toys.

What can I do to teach her? Please give me some tips. This is making me crazy.

[BabelFish]

It's really an age thing - they don't really learn to share properly until they're a fair bit older.

You can show her, you can encourage her and you can explain it to her, but essentially, she's still pretty much a baby, and at that age of toddlerhood where sharing is an alien concept! There's nothing wrong with her at all - on the contrary, it's completely normal behaviour - but it's hard to deal with!

You can still do playdates - I would just explain to the other kids (if they're older) and their mums that she's going through a phase and you're doing your best to teach her.

[UmmInayah]

You can't.

Just be a good role model. When she is ready to learn, she will know how to behave because she has been around it her whole life.

Make sure though, that you DO have toys that will always remain hers and she does not have to share them if she doesn't want to. Children need to have their own possessions as well.

[onedayatatime]

I agree with the other ladies.

I've had tonnes of experience with children this age and sharing just aint in their vocab!!

Very normal.

A bit akward when out visiting but I agree to mention the "latest behaviour" before you visit so everyone knows ahead of time.

Don't be embarrassed! It's a developmental stage that can't be helped! If you find it too stressful or the people you visit don't understand, then perhaps do a little less visiting for awhile.

OH yes and do still encourage the sharing and do set the example. It'll all pave the way for mastering sharing in the future.