# Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing social sharing?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-social-sharing
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Not sharing yet is normal for toddlers — true sharing usually develops closer to age 3 and beyond. What matters more at this age is the bigger social picture: joint attention, shared smiles, responding to their name, pointing and simple back-and-forth play. If your toddler shows those connection cues, the missing sharing is just a skill yet to mature; if several connection cues are absent by 18–24 months, a gentle developmental check is wise.

*If you're watching your toddler at the park wondering why they won't hand over a toy, take a breath — what you're seeing is far more typical than worrying.*

## In short
For most toddlers, true social sharing is still developing — and often genuinely hard — right through the 1-to-3-year window. Around 12–24 months children are naturally possessive of what they're holding; the ability to willingly share, take turns and consider another child's wishes usually blossoms closer to 3 and beyond. So if your toddler isn't sharing yet, that is, by itself, completely normal. What we gently watch is the wider picture of how they connect with people.

## What to watch (the bigger social picture)
Sharing a toy is a late, complex social skill. Far more telling at this age are the simpler building blocks of connection:

- **Joint attention** — does your child look where you point, follow your gaze, or bring things to *show* you (not just to get help)?
- **Shared enjoyment** — do they look back at you to share a smile when something is fun or funny?
- **Responding to their name** and using gestures like waving, pointing or reaching up.
- **Simple back-and-forth** — copying you, rolling a ball to and fro, peek-a-boo.

If these social-connection cues are present, the absence of sharing is simply a skill that hasn't matured yet. If several of these are consistently missing by around 18–24 months, a gentle developmental check is wise — not because anything is wrong, but because early observation creates early opportunity.

## The science
Sharing rests on understanding that another person has their own feelings and wants — a capacity that develops gradually across the toddler years. You can nurture it warmly: model sharing aloud ("my turn, your turn"), praise small offers, and use turn-taking games rather than forcing a child to give up a toy.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians look at the whole arc of [social sharing](/social-sharing) and connection, and where helpful, our [child development therapy](/child-development-therapy) team supports turn-taking and play through gentle, structured sessions.

## Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" social-emotional milestones; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) on toddler social development and sharing; WHO Nurturing Care framework on early development.

**Next step —** Trust what you observe day to day. If you'd like reassurance, [book a developmental check](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) so a Pinnacle clinician can review your toddler's social picture with you.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- ICF d7: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- CDC: Learn the Signs, Act Early — social-emotional milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren: Toddler social development: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/default.aspx
- WHO Nurturing Care Framework: https://nurturing-care.org/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/skills
- Parent / Family: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Toddler: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler
- Social: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/social
- Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity
- Social: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/ability/social
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/assessment/mchatrf
- English: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/language/en
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/sdg/3
- social sharing: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/skill/social-sharing
- ASHA / PHC / Frontline: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/asha_phc
- Therapist / Clinician: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/therapist

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- What does it mean if my child is not yet showing social sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-social-sharing
- Is it normal that my child is not yet showing social sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-social-sharing
- Toddler Social Skills: Is It Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-social-skills
- Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing relationship skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-relationship-skills
- When Should a Child Start Social Sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-social-sharing
- Could difficulty with social sharing be a sign of developmental delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/could-difficulty-with-social-sharing-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay
- What signs suggest my child may need support with social – sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-social-sharing
- When do children usually start sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-social-sharing
- If a child isn't yet sharing: a caregiver's guide: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-social-sharing
- By what age do children learn to share?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-social-sharing-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class
- Observing Social Sharing During a Home Visit: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/during-a-home-visit-what-should-a-frontline-worker-observe-about-a-child-learning-to-social-sharing
- Difficulty sharing: when should a frontline worker escalate?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/if-a-child-cannot-social-sharing-at-the-expected-age-when-should-a-frontline-health-worker-escalate

### Understand assessment
- Amber Zone for Social Sharing Explained: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-social-sharing-what-does-that-mean
- What a green zone for social – sharing means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-social-sharing-what-does-that-mean
- Red Zone for Social – Sharing Explained: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-social-sharing-what-does-that-mean
- How to Assess & Track Social Sharing: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-social-sharing

### Explore therapy & support
- How can a teacher support a child working on social sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-social-sharing
- What therapy helps a child learn to share?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-social-sharing
- Amber zone for social – sharing — what next?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-social-sharing-what-should-we-do-next
- Green Zone for Social – Sharing: What To Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-social-sharing-what-should-we-do-next
- Red Zone for Social Sharing — Next Steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-social-sharing-what-should-we-do-next
- Techniques to develop social sharing in children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-social-sharing
- How a Teacher Can Support a Student Learning to Share: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-social-sharing
- How should a therapist prioritise a child in the amber zone for social – sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-social-sharing
- Prioritising a green-zone social–sharing result: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-green-zone-for-social-sharing
- How should a therapist prioritise a child in the red zone for social sharing?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-red-zone-for-social-sharing

### At home & in everyday life
- How can I help my toddler learn to share at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-social-sharing-at-home
- Everyday Therapy activity for social sharing in toddlers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-social-sharing
- Helping Your Child Learn to Share, Gently: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-social-sharing-during-everyday-routines