It is completely normal for children, especially young children, to fight over toys.
Sharing and taking turns are skills children are developing just like talking, reading,
and writing. The way you respond to disputes over toys will affect your child's behavior in the future.
If your child has clearly taken a toy from another child, do not let your child keep it.
Letting your child play with a toy taken from another child teaches your child that behavior is okay.
Take the toy from your child and give it back to the other child. Do not get mad at your child. Remember,
taking toys from another child is normal for young children. Redirect your child to something
he/she can play with. If he/she gets upset, wait until he/she begins to calm then offer another
toy or remove your child from the situation.
If there is a dispute over a toy and it is not clear who took what from whom, you can
try putting the toy in a time-out. Remove the disputed toy and set it out of both children's reach.
Return the toy when the children are calm and playing with something else.
If there is a big fight over a toy or constant dispute about it, you could try
starting a "toy store." This means having a plastic bin or box away from where your children play.
Put toys in the "toy store," when problems arise. Let children earn back removed toys as a reward
when they behave well.
It is important to help your children learn to share and take turns.
When you play with your child, be sure to share with your child and take turns with him/her.
Children learn how to behave by watching their parents and can pick up these skills by watching you.
