Sharing Time

Sharing Time is one of the board books in the Toddler Tools series by Elizabeth Verdick. This book introduces the concept of sharing, which is exceptionally hard at this age. Toddlers are in the "egocentric stage". This doesn't mean that they think they are the greatest thing in the world, as the adult version of being "egocentric" implies. Instead, it means that they literally think they are the center of the universe, and have difficulty understanding the needs of others. Everything they see belongs to them.

This book demonstrates words that can be used when a child wants to share something another child is using. "May I use that?" "Can I have a turn?" are important phrases for children to understand and to use. Ideally, the other person will say yes, but sometimes the other child is going to say no. Strategies are given for the child who has been denied: take a deep breath, ask for help, etc.

It's important for children to understand that they can't take something away from another person without permission. It's important for them to understand that they have the right to say no when asked to share, but can offer up some sort of a compromise for later. This book is a great way to lay that foundation.

In my classroom, we also utilize a Peace Table to help children use these words and to compromise on sharing materials and friends.

Purchase Sharing Time (Toddler Tools)

I received a review copy of this title from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.