The question
My child is two and his cousins (his uncle's children) — one is two months older than him, and the other is one year and four months. On the topic of sharing toys, what I know is that their not sharing toys at this age is natural, and they shouldn't be forced — they should be taught sharing gradually. But sometimes they attack each other for no reason.
When my child sees his younger cousin, he doesn't share toys with him, yet he treats him as small and with affection — and suddenly he behaves badly with him.
With the older one it's a bit different. When he sees him, his screaming increases.
What is the correct behaviour in these situations, since we don't leave them alone for a second so this attack doesn't happen between them?
And until now they don't play with one another either.
Our answer
May Allah preserve you and bless you. I think you need to stay near them and suggest games where the enjoyment is in sharing. That is, don't give them toys and leave them like that. Rather let someone share play with them and get them used to coexistence and respect. Also, by suggesting educational ideas that are entertaining and tarbawi at the same time. You can benefit from the play guide and the skill-building books in our curriculum on the channel, for the preparatory level. This matter requires patience, forbearance, and calm follow-up — without anxiety or magnifying it, because boys usually fight as well. This happens very naturally.
May Allah delight your eyes with them.
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