3 Years Old and Will Not Share

Hi J.,
It's typical at this age not to share. Start with food give her a bite, then you take a bite until it's gone. next, try rolling a ball back and forth. then maybe blocks. You first then her, see how high you can build. Then when she's ok with that, bring in a friend. try the ball, then the blocks. then try other toys. Let the teacher know what you are doing to curb the problem. Try this on a weekend that you have her all to yourself. Praise her. tell her how good she is for sharing with you over and over. Even if your tired of the words. The more you praise her the more she feels good about what she's doing. Be pateint things take time. let me know how things go.
L. S

I have a two year old, with siblings, who still has a hard time sharing! My best advice is to practice through play. If you can find a mom with a child the same age, have a playdate and allow your child to pick a toy at home that she doesn't have to share (favorite toy, blankie etc.) then explain that the other toys are to be shared and practice..."oh here's the teddy...I love the teddy, do you? Let's let Mommy have a turn now." Children learn social skills through play and it's a great way to help them positively! Also, the preschool should be used to situations like this, not all children are in daycare from 6 weeks, and preschool IS their first real steady social experiences, they should not be blaming you or making it seem like a big huge problem, but rather partnering with you to help your child learn these skills before Kindergarten.

Hi I am new to this group, I am a family daycare provider and I can tell you from years of experience that this is normal behavior not only for 3 year olds but also because she is an only child and has never had to share on a regular basis and it will take more than 2.5 weeks to get her to share willingly. Ask her teacher what you as a parent can do at home to help with the sharing issue. That way not only will the teacher know you are acknowledging the issue but willing to carry on a suggested resolution. Good luck.

J.,

One of my three girls had the same problem. The only thing I could remeber for advise I recieved is, try playing with her and split toys between you both. After you split them up, offer her one of yours and ask to play with one of hers. Keep trying to trade toys.it won't work immediately but it may be a good start.

I'm a pre-school teacher and it is perfectly normal for your child not to be able to share. My guess is that it will probably take her a couple of months to get it down. What do the teachers expect you to do? Isn't it their jobs to teacher her to share? don't let it frustrate you because it's very normal. I would just expaine to her why we share. Also what I do in my classroom is when another child would like a toy we say "in how many minutes can tommy have the truck? 3 or 5 minutes?" that way they still feel in control and both kids have time to process that they have to give up the toy and it usually works you just have to bare through it even if there is a tantrum after that just remind her that she said in 2 minutes. I don't know if thats helpful or if that is what they do already. Good luck. And if you need more help you can send me a message. :)

thats okay right now she is in a stage where everything is mine and you can't have it. Try a game called can you share it with me. I did it with my daugther when she was that age and she done great. then when i had her brother she shared everything with him. also ask her if she can share with the baby that is on the way. it doesn't hurt to try.