We are all wired for survival. This natural proclivity makes it challenging when it comes to teaching our babies social constructs such as sharing and taking turns. The power to possess is a natural part of the child’s growing awareness. Don’t be surprised if among the first words your toddler verbalizes are posesive terms such as “mine”.
Your baby will develop attachments to things and persons having this attachment is essential and will serve as a foundation to healthy emotional bonds. Starting at six months you are likely to see signs of attachment that can easily be misinterrpreted as selfishness.
Your task as a parent is to gently guide baby in the understanding of social dynamics that demand sharing without impacting their need for attachment and the intrinsic value of this type of behavior.
When do we start teaching our babies how to share?
Teaching babies to share can take place from birth. By this we mean babies should be immersed into family settings where selflessness and love abounds. Use words like sharing and taking turns early on in life but don’t force little ones to share until they are ready.
How do we teach our babies to share?
Teaching how to share by example can take place in the context of meals and play. If you are eating something and you are ready to introduce baby to a new flavor say and sign “share” as you give your little one small bites of the new food item. Taking turns can be introduced early in life by incorporating it to games with props. Take a toy manipulate it, pass it along to baby and say and sign “taking turns” When baby starts loosing interest in the prop pick it up and say “my turn”.
When can I expect my baby to begin sharing?
We need to keep in mind that little ones are not capable of true empathy until later in life. For this reason sharing is a conditioned behavior associated to rewards. We cannot stress it enough that sharing and generosity are learned by example. Lead a generous life and your baby or toddler will imitate.
What are the best methods to teach sharing and taking turns?
Aside from a strong and constant example what works best to teach little ones to share is to incorporate the concept into games. Consider getting an egg timer and teaching your toddler about timed turns. If you are fortunate enough to have older siblings teaching share and taking turns might just be easier for you.
Our gift to you:
Baby Sign Language Flashcard for Share
Baby Sign Language Flashcard for Taking Turns
In tandem with teaching the signs for share and taking turns incorporate please and thank you to your child’s signing repertoire.
