ima062002
05-02-2008, 11:54 AM
If we want our children to behave a certain way we need to model it.
Point in case - sharing.
A lot of emphasis is put on getting our kids to share but we do we share all our stuff with them or other people? Most of us don't, but we expect kids to share with siblings or even strangers (i.e. other kids that come over), yet we don't or wouldn't do that with their accompanying moms.
If you are just starting out, i.e. have children too young to understand about owership, try getting most toys for the family and only selected toys for your child and don't expect her/him to share those unless they chose to. If they do, acknowldege it. Or start building up a toy box for YOU, and then generously share from it.
Since this advice came to me very late and my kids are older, what we have in our house are boxes for each kid and whatever item is in there, is off limits for anyone (they can of course ask). All the stuff that is out or in general boxes becomes shared stuff and anyone can play with it. If the owner wants to play with it and the other child is busy with it, the owner must ask for it back and give the player adequate time to finish his/her game.
I wish I had created family toys early on since our system is almost too complicated for toddler/preschoolers to fully understand ...
Have a nice weekend -
Patricia
Point in case - sharing.
A lot of emphasis is put on getting our kids to share but we do we share all our stuff with them or other people? Most of us don't, but we expect kids to share with siblings or even strangers (i.e. other kids that come over), yet we don't or wouldn't do that with their accompanying moms.
If you are just starting out, i.e. have children too young to understand about owership, try getting most toys for the family and only selected toys for your child and don't expect her/him to share those unless they chose to. If they do, acknowldege it. Or start building up a toy box for YOU, and then generously share from it.
Since this advice came to me very late and my kids are older, what we have in our house are boxes for each kid and whatever item is in there, is off limits for anyone (they can of course ask). All the stuff that is out or in general boxes becomes shared stuff and anyone can play with it. If the owner wants to play with it and the other child is busy with it, the owner must ask for it back and give the player adequate time to finish his/her game.
I wish I had created family toys early on since our system is almost too complicated for toddler/preschoolers to fully understand ...
Have a nice weekend -
Patricia