To a toddler, everything is "mine." Though this behavior would be incredibly selfish coming from an adult, it is perfectly natural for a toddler just beginning to understand the concept of ownership, boundaries and rights. Possessiveness is the first step a toddler makes in understanding and learning sharing.
Lead by example. Ask your child if he would like to try something you're doing, taking turns with him and with other children or sharing something you have with another child as he watches. These are all good ways of demonstrating the sharing concept to your toddler.
2
Understand your toddler and let him know you understand. Be firm, yet compassionate. Tell him you know it's difficult, but we have to share with others.
3
Be patient with your toddler. Sharing is not a skill learned overnight. It may take a long while before she understands the concept, but she'll get it. Most children don't learn to share until they are three or four years old.
4
Give your toddler positive reinforcement as he begins to show progress in sharing his belongings. When he sees how his behavior makes you happy, he'll want to do it more and more until it finally feels natural to him.
5
Make sure your child understands that grabbing toys away from others is unacceptable. Redirect her to something else that she might enjoy if she gets upset because she can't have a toy another toddler is playing with.
6
If another child will be visiting, talk to him about the toys in his room and how he must share. If there are very special toys he doesn't want to share with his friend, put those away but make sure he knows he will need to share everything else.
Tips & Warnings
You may need to remove a toy from children who are fighting over it, especially if they start getting physical.
Do not punish a toddler for not sharing. Sharing is a learning process, You could hinder it by forcing the issue and making too big a deal about it.
Do not force a child to share. This communicates to the toddler that other people's needs are more important than hers. Encourage sharing as they grow in their understanding, and do so with sensitivity.
Give your child lots of love and positive words. Insecure children have a harder time sharing than more secure children.
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