My DD (turning 2 at the end of March) is really good at sharing toys (relative to other toddlers her age). However, it seems that sharing "space" isn't as easy for her, especially if it's with a toddler/kid she doesn't know.
For example, at the playground, she loves to practice going up and down the stairs. If another toddler tries to go past her, and somewhat gets in her way, she may slap that toddler, or try to kick him/her, or even grab the face with her fingers (ouch!).
Another example, at the zoo recently, a bunch of toddlers were right next to her, watching a gorilla through a window. I kind of missed what happened, as I blinked, but the next thing I saw is my DD grabbling a little girl's face with her fingers, resulting in the little girl crying, of course. I do not think the little girl provoked her, but only was probably really close (too close) to her? She was bigger than my DD, so maybe she felt threatened by her? Who knows...
I always explain to my DD that she should allow for the other kids to play/be next to her, to be gentle with them. If they start crying if she hit/grabbed them, I also show her how her action made the other little one sad, hurt, so that she hopefully understands how this affected the other person. On a side note, she get sad/upset when other kids cry. So, I don't think it's a lack of empathy on her part.
Anyway, any ideas on how to encourage her to move beyond that stage? Or will it pass on its own?
Thanks.
For example, at the playground, she loves to practice going up and down the stairs. If another toddler tries to go past her, and somewhat gets in her way, she may slap that toddler, or try to kick him/her, or even grab the face with her fingers (ouch!).
Another example, at the zoo recently, a bunch of toddlers were right next to her, watching a gorilla through a window. I kind of missed what happened, as I blinked, but the next thing I saw is my DD grabbling a little girl's face with her fingers, resulting in the little girl crying, of course. I do not think the little girl provoked her, but only was probably really close (too close) to her? She was bigger than my DD, so maybe she felt threatened by her? Who knows...
I always explain to my DD that she should allow for the other kids to play/be next to her, to be gentle with them. If they start crying if she hit/grabbed them, I also show her how her action made the other little one sad, hurt, so that she hopefully understands how this affected the other person. On a side note, she get sad/upset when other kids cry. So, I don't think it's a lack of empathy on her part.
Anyway, any ideas on how to encourage her to move beyond that stage? Or will it pass on its own?
Thanks.
