By age two, your child will probably be more comfortable playing next to other children, but he or she will still be playing in parallel, rather than with another child. Some two year olds may play briefly with each other, but after a few minutes, they’re likely to return to self-absorption.
There will probably still be tussles over toys for a while, but there are things you can do to encourage your child to share, which is the first step in playing with other children.
Try playing games that allow you to take turns. Take turns with favourite tasks, like stirring food, or set a timer, and explain to your child that when the buzzer goes, it’s time to let someone else play, or draw, or anything else you can think of.
It’s normal for your child to be self-centred, and to only think of his or her own needs or feelings now, but you can start teaching him or her about sharing now.
There will probably still be tussles over toys for a while, but there are things you can do to encourage your child to share, which is the first step in playing with other children.
Try playing games that allow you to take turns. Take turns with favourite tasks, like stirring food, or set a timer, and explain to your child that when the buzzer goes, it’s time to let someone else play, or draw, or anything else you can think of.
It’s normal for your child to be self-centred, and to only think of his or her own needs or feelings now, but you can start teaching him or her about sharing now.