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An Everyday Therapy activity for social sharing
One easy everyday activity is a playful "My turn, your turn" game with a favourite toy or rolling a ball back and forth — making sharing a joyful back-and-forth rather than a demand. For toddlers, sharing emerges slowly, so celebrate every small offer and keep turns short and happy.
In this answer 5 sections
Sharing isn't a rule we teach toddlers — it's a feeling of joy they discover when giving something to someone they love.
In short
One lovely everyday activity is "My turn, your turn" with a single favourite toy or snack — you hold an object, say "My turn," then warmly hand it over saying "Your turn!" and beam when your child gives it back. Done playfully a few times a day, this turns sharing into a happy back-and-forth game rather than a demand. For toddlers, sharing grows slowly and naturally — celebrate every small offer.
Try this at home
- Pick one item your child likes — a ball, a soft toy, or pieces of a banana.
- Model it first: "My turn" (you hold it briefly), then "Your turn!" (you give it). Keep your face bright and your voice sing-song.
- Roll a ball back and forth on the floor — this is one of the easiest first shares because the toy always comes back.
- Name the feeling: "You gave it to me — thank you! That made me happy." Toddlers learn sharing through your delight, not through pressure.
- Keep turns short so waiting never feels too long, and always end on a win.
The science
Social sharing (ICF d7, interpersonal interactions) develops on the back of joint attention — the shared back-and-forth that turn-taking games build. Between 12 and 36 months, children are just beginning to understand that another person has wants too, so true "sharing" is emerging, not expected. Frequent, low-pressure turn-taking gives the brain repeated, joyful practice of giving and receiving — the foundation for later cooperation and friendship.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — this home activity supports everyday growth and never replaces assessment. Explore more on social sharing, our occupational therapy approach, and how the AbilityScore® is calculated.
Trusted sources
Guided by WHO ICF interpersonal-interaction domains and AAP/HealthyChildren guidance on social-emotional play in toddlers, which highlight turn-taking games as developmentally appropriate steps toward sharing.
Next step — try "My turn, your turn" today, and to understand your child's social strengths, reach our team on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch for growing interest in the to-and-fro — offering the toy back, looking to your face, smiling during turns. These small signs matter more than 'perfect' sharing, which is still developing at this age.
In everyday life
Roll a ball back and forth for two minutes a day: it's the easiest first 'share' because the toy always returns, so giving never feels like loss.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
My toddler won't share at all — is something wrong?
Not at all. Between 12 and 36 months, children are only beginning to understand that others have wants too, so true sharing is just emerging. Short, joyful turn-taking games give gentle practice — celebrate any small offer rather than expecting full sharing yet.
How often should I do the turn-taking game?
A few short bursts a day — even two to three minutes each — works far better than one long session. Keep it light and playful, end on a happy note, and let your delight be the reward.
Should I make my child share their toys with others?
Forcing sharing can make it feel like loss. Instead, model giving and receiving yourself, name the happy feeling when they offer, and use returnable items like a ball so giving always brings the toy back.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren: toddler social-emotional play
- Organisation website · further readingWHO ICF interpersonal interactions (d7)
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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