At what age do children typically learn to start sharing?

Children typically begin to show the ability to share around 18 months of age. At this stage in development, toddlers start to grasp the concept of parallel play, where they can play alongside others, and they may also begin to show interest in the toys or items that their peers are using. This interest can lead to early attempts at sharing, although it is often accompanied by a strong sense of possessiveness over their own toys.

While children may start to engage in simplified forms of social interaction before 18 months, the understanding of sharing as a social and cooperative behavior usually becomes more evident at this age. By 18 months, you may see children begin to hand toys to others or show joy in interactions, signaling a budding understanding of sharing. As development continues, especially moving toward the age of two, they can better appreciate turn-taking and cooperative play, marking an important step in their social development.