| Socialization is an important part of childhood | | | | they can realize that it's not the end of the world to |
| development that should not be ignored. Some | | | | share. They may not understand your explanations |
| toddlers socialize more easily than others and many | | | | because they are so overwhelmed at first. |
| need help and direction from adults to truly get the | | | | However, with a little practice (and a lot of patience |
| concept. Socialization starts with the parents early in | | | | on your part) they will see with their own eyes that |
| life and can actually be a lifelong process of trial and | | | | sharing is not the same as giving away. |
| error learning. | | | | Around age two, when they start to get past the |
| Start by talking to your baby. Respond to their | | | | anxiety of sharing, children will normally start to |
| babbles, laughs, wants and needs. This | | | | become interested in other children. Encourage this |
| reinforcement and interaction will help your baby to | | | | as much as possible. Make sure that you call other |
| see that involving someone else in their day is a | | | | children their "friends" and talk about how fun it is to |
| normal part of life. This is the basis for learning how | | | | play with other kids. It may be a good idea to have |
| to interact with other people. | | | | your child make friends on neutral ground, like at a |
| As your baby gets into the second year of life, he | | | | park, where sharing is not an issue. You can tackle |
| may see everything as his own. The "mine" stage | | | | sharing on a separate occasion. |
| can be very frustrating and even cause parents to | | | | When your child has some regular friends, invite them |
| avoid social interaction with other children. However, | | | | over to play with your child's toys. Carefully arrange |
| this is an important stage in development that should | | | | the room so that it contains toys that are easily |
| be taken advantage of. | | | | shared. Many preschool toys are good for this |
| Being protective of toys may make your child throw | | | | purpose. Blocks, a train table, an activity table, |
| some real tantrums. They are feeling intense | | | | crafts, and other toys that have multiple items are |
| emotions that they have never felt before. | | | | good for getting started. Once your child learns that |
| Remember that it is good if your child makes it to | | | | it is fun to let other children play with their toys, you |
| this stage. Now the goal is to coach and help your | | | | can move on to taking turns and other more |
| child learn how to cope with these emotions so that | | | | advanced social skills. |