Sharing is a challenging concept for children. They have difficulty understanding that they are separate and individual people, and they are testing this idea by feeling a sense of ownership. 

During the early stages of cognitive development, children are learning to understand concepts like ownership and empathy. Sharing requires them to grasp these abstract ideas, which can be challenging for young children. These complex social skills develop gradually as children grow and mature. 

Here are the general developmental stages of sharing:

• Parallel Play– In the early toddler years (Ages 1-2), children engage in parallel play, where they play alongside other children without interacting much. At this stage, they don’t have a strong understanding of sharing and may not be willing to share toys or play cooperatively.
• Toddlers are very egocentric. In their minds everything that they want is theirs. They need to understand the concept of “mine” before they can move on to the next stage.  
• Onlooker Play -Older toddlers start observing other children playing and might show interest in their activities. They may still be possessive of their toys and find it challenging to share willingly. Eventually young children understand the unpleasant reality that some things are not theirs. They begin to understand that objects have owners.  
• Cooperative Play– Around the age of 3, children start to engage in cooperative play. They begin to understand the concept of taking turns and sharing toys and activities with others willingly. Sharing becomes more frequent and natural, although conflicts can still occur. They are still very present-oriented. If they cannot have something now, they do not understand that they will have it later. So for them, giving something up means they are losing it for good. Even statements like “one more minute, then it’s your turn” can be very hard for a child to understand when they don’t have a sense of time. 
• Fair Play and Empathy– As children approach school age, they become better at understanding the feelings of others. They start to develop a sense of fairness and empathy, which makes sharing more intuitive. They can negotiate and resolve conflicts more effectively, demonstrating a better understanding of sharing and cooperation.

Teaching a child to share is a gradual process that requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. 

Here are some effective strategies to help a child learn to share:

• Model Sharing– Children learn by observing. Demonstrate sharing behavior by sharing your items with them and with others. Be a positive role model for the behavior you want to encourage.
• Start Early– Encourage sharing from a young age but be realistic about a toddler’s abilities. Use simple language and praise them when they do share, even if it’s just for a few moments.
• Teach Empathy– Help your child understand how others feel. Ask them questions like, “How would you feel if you wanted to play with a toy, but someone didn’t share it with you?” Developing empathy can make sharing more natural.
• Use Positive Reinforcement– Praise and reward your child when they share. Positive reinforcement, such as verbal praise or a small reward can reinforce the behavior and encourage them to share more often.
• Encourage Turn-Taking– Teach the concept of taking turns. Use a timer or count to establish short turns for sharing toys. This helps children understand that they will get the toy back after a while.
• Offer Choices– If there’s a conflict over a specific toy, offer the child choices. For example, you can say, “You can play with the truck for five more minutes, and then it’s Sarah’s turn. Or, you can play with the blocks now and give the truck to Sarah.”
• Read Stories– Read books or create social stories about sharing. Stories can help children understand the importance of sharing and how it can make playtime more enjoyable for everyone.
• Encourage Cooperative Play– Organize playdates and group activities. Cooperative play helps children learn to share and collaborate with others.
• Be Patient– Understand that sharing is a skill that takes time to develop. Be patient and don’t force a child to share. Instead, encourage and guide them gently.

Remember that every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Be flexible and adapt your approach based on your child’s temperament and personality.