To let the toddlers tussle over toys?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

2yo DS is in a sandpark and has been in gentle 'tussle' with another toddler over a spade (not fighting or pushing, just both trying to take it off each other). I am sitting a bit of a distance away in the shade with the baby and letting them get on with it. AIBU not to be intervening and encouraging them to share nicely?

My DS is also 2, and I think I'd step in to encourage sharing. I see it as how will they learn to share if they aren't told/shown how to. Everything they do at this age is thinking of themselves, and it's our job to teach them to think of others. I think I'd be annoyed if I could see the mum to the other 2 year old siting back, especially if it was their child in the wrong. How is a 2 year old supposed to deal with a child who is trying to snatch from them, without being physical or crying for help. They don't have the skills to reason with each other at 2.
Each to their own how you choose to parent, but I wouldn't take it lightly if my child were to be physically hurt.

I'd leave it until it looked like one would get hurt or very upset and then encourage turn taking.

I don't really understand 'sharing' for kids- it usually means giving away some you want/have are using for the benefit of others and teaches them their needs aren't as important as others. Turn taking is much fairer imho.

Well who had it first? If your child took it off the other then YABVU to not get him to give it back. If the other child took it of your DS then YANBU to let him stand up for himself a bit.

I'd leave them to it but be ready to step in.

Haha bless them . I loved that stage OP but mine are all grown up now.

Just keep watch on the situation . What is the other little ones DM doing ? If she is not fussed I'd see how it builds up

Goes off smiling at the memories of it all

I think DS had it first, put it down then grabbed it back when the girl tried to pick it up. If I'd been right next to them I'd have said something and encouraged him to let the girl have a turn, but I wasn't close enough so just kept an eye that it didn't escalate.

I'm sure I remember reading something from a child psychologist saying parents shouldn't micro-manage these kind of things as they're how children learn to navigate social situations - but it feels awkward sitting back and watching your child grab a toy from another.

From a teacher's perspective it's definitely better to give them a chance to figure it out for themselves, but stay available & close to intervene if it gets physical. Ideally 'sportscast' and say what you are seeing, help them find words "Bobby really wants the spade". "You are not ready to let go..." etc... This helps them put their feelings into words & start to gain empathy as they are encouraged to look & think about the other person to.
I think we are too quick to jump in & rescue kids, and often we will misjudge a situation by imposing our idea of fairness on it. We often get it wrong, and that is counterproductive to learning social skills.
By using this strategy instead, role modelling, continuing to talk about feelings, children tend to learn turn taking & social skills much faster. You do have to stay tuned in & available though, not just leaving them to it, for it to be effective :)

teacher that is great advice, I have definitely read similar before but it has refreshed my memory - shame it's not an excuse for completely hands-off parenting though!

I would let them work it out if I was right next to them to block any hitting and they were both my children or children of friends who I knew were ok with that approach. But I wouldn't leave them to tussle with a strangers child.