A child’s social competence is most simply defined as their ability to play while keeping friends. If the other kids are happy when your child shows up, they want to continue playing with them and the play tends to go well most of the time then their social skills are likely developing at least fairly … Continue reading Your Child’s Social Skills and Play
Young children grabbing toys from each other is a common exchange. If your child grabs toys often, it’s good to be prepared. There are ways to best address this behavior before, during and after it happens. While I wouldn’t expect a parent to use all of the ideas below at once, some combination of several … Continue reading Discipline Language for Grabbing Toys
I think learning to share starts with learning to take turns. Taking turns is more concrete than sharing. The child knows, “I have this to myself. When the timer dings, or you tell me, it will be their turn. If I ask nicely and wait, I will get another turn.’ This can make sense as … Continue reading Teaching Them How to Share
At any age, if your child is not yet good at turn taking, it can be helpful to role play the process. This means to approach them when they are playing alone and happy at, say, the train table. Pick up the blue train that is not being used and say something like, “wow! The … Continue reading Teach Turn Taking thru Role Play
Dear Dr. Rene, Thank you for the great class on sibling rivalry. My big problem now though is that my one-and-a-half and three-and-a-half year olds are competeing for my attention, expecially physically. If one is sitting on my lap, the other wants to be there too. If I am holding one to comfort their crying, … Continue reading Siblings Both Wanting Your Attention
>Dear Dr. Hackney, What are the best ways to foster sharing among toddlers? There is “taking turns” and there is taking the toy away if they can’t share it, but I’m wondering if there are other techniques as well. Thank you!Blog Reader, February 2008 Dear Reader, Under three years-old, your best bet is to focus … Continue reading >Teach Sharing
Parenting by Dr. Rene 