Some children master fair sharing effortlessly, handing over the biggest slice of cake or their favorite toys without hesitation. If your child embodies this generous spirit like a pint-sized Robin Hood, you're fortunate. Yet, social skills among children rarely develop on their own—they require intentional teaching, akin to mastering cycling or swimming. This is the core message from Eva Bronsveld and Elsbeth Teeling's insightful book, Playing Together, What to Share?
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Nothing delights like the sight of children playing harmoniously—filled with chatter and laughter, as often happens in our home. But childhood friendships aren't always smooth sailing. What starts as a joyful playdate can quickly erupt into tears and tantrums. Tensions flare suddenly, leading to conflicts. As children mature, they occasionally resolve these themselves, thanks to prior lessons learned.
The takeaway? Sharing and playing cooperatively doesn't come instinctively. Young children often start out quite selfishly. Bronsveld and Teeling's Playing Together, What to Share? serves as a practical guide for parents navigating these challenges.
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Authored by Eva Bronsveld and Elsbeth Teeling, Playing Together, What to Share? explores children's social development—a skillset that demands explicit instruction. It covers scenarios like sharing toys with playmates or adjusting to a new sibling.
The book delves into nurturing sibling love and forging lasting friendships, offering parents strategies to prevent playtime from descending into disputes. While no 5-step plan is a magic fix, its actionable advice and engaging style make it invaluable.
Packed with expert tips and exercises, this book equips you to foster enjoyable interactions and lifelong social competence in your children.
Expect practical, non-theoretical guidance infused with humor—acknowledging parenting's realities. It features fun activities, like patience-building exercises that benefit the whole family.
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Key lessons include healthy arguing techniques—essential for kids and parents alike—and mastering apologies, a skill with lifelong value.
Bullying a sibling? Nip it early. We experienced this recently: post-holiday fatigue, a 5-year age gap, and simmering tensions. Familiar territory for many parents striving to curb sibling squabbles. Strong brother-sister ties yield benefits now and later—experiences uniquely theirs.
Playing Together, What to Share? offers proven strategies for any sibling duo. A standout: the weekly 'most fun moment' roundup, sharing highlights with each family member. It evolves into a cherished ritual fostering gratitude.
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The authors brilliantly capture toddler possession logic:
This engaging read isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, and some advice may feel familiar. Yet, its reflective mirror on parenting habits is transformative—preventing reactive frustration during conflicts. Keep it handy for ongoing reference; it's earned a spot in my essential parenting library and deserves yours too.
Elsbeth also penned Relax Mama, which we've reviewed. Eva authored Temperamental Children and co-wrote From Behind the Wallpaper to Over Your Ears on relaxed parenting. All highly recommended.
