Older child taking things from DS

[HappyGoLuckyGo]

Hi, I’ve had this happen a couple of times and I’ve no idea what the correct response is. Would value some advice, please.

DS is only 10mo and he’s not very confident (MASSIVE understatement, he’s usually glued to me...) in group settings. Recently we’ve been at eg the baby group Christmas party, or today it was just at the pool, when another child - usually under 2 but mobile - will come over and take whatever DS is holding out of his hand. (Not the same child each time!)

I understand that they need to share and the toys (or today it was a leaf in the water) don’t belong to any one kid, but I feel bad for DS. He does get upset sometimes if we have to put the toys away at baby group, say, so he understands that the item is being taken from him. I want him to be confident and feel okay holding onto what’s “his” at the time, but the others seem a bit small for me to be taking stuff off them and returning it to DS... (Their parents are not stepping in when this happens.)

What’s the right approach here?

When a child approaches yours and looks about to take the toy, smile at them and say "ds isn't quite finished playing with that yet, shall we come and give it to you when he is?" Or "ds is still playing with this one at the moment, would you like to play with this toy instead?" and hand them something else. 9/10 it works for me and both children are happy, and you haven't over stepped any boundaries as you are not 'telling off' anyone else's child.

That’s helpful, thanks. Part of the issue currently is that DS stands holding both my hands so I’m often not at his head height, will bear it in mind to preempt the situation.

I’m living abroad currently and don’t have sufficient command of the local language for clear, child-friendly comments, but that will change in a few months when we move back to the U.K. Thank you!