Share with Me

The baby will experience back-and-forth sharing of a toy with a familiar caregiver.

Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Social and Emotional

MATERIALS

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small toy OR finger food

LET'S PLAY

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Hold out a toy, tell your baby the name of the toy, and then offer it to your baby. For example, “Here is the giraffe. Would you like to hold it?” Then hand him the toy. After your baby has had a chance to explore the toy, encourage him to share the toy with you by saying, “May I have the giraffe?” or “Can I have a turn?” and holding out your hand expectantly. Do not take the toy until your baby offers it to you and releases it. When he is ready to share the toy and hands it back, you can respond with “Thank you!” Repeat this turn-taking cycle several times so that your baby experiences giving and receiving each time he shares with you. You can also use the words “my turn” and “your turn” as you hand the toy back and forth to teach the baby what these phrases mean.

Another way to talk about and model sharing at this age would be to sit with your child at snack time and share finger food with him, saying “I will share my snack with you!” while offering pieces to him, as well as asking “Can I have one, please?” If the child reciprocates, you can respond with “Thank you!”Repeat this turn-taking cycle several times so that your baby experiences giving and receiving each time he shares with you.