Fairness

birth to 2

Infants see the world as an extension of themselves. One-year-olds are naturally egocentric, but by age two children recognize that they are separate from others-and that others may stand in the way of what they want. Their initial concern is with getting fair treatment themselves-getting a toy or doing something an older sibling is doing.

In childhood, fairness is developed primarily through sharing. It's rare for toddlers to willingly share a favorite toy, but they can begin to take turns and offer things that are easily divided (like cookies). This is not due to an inner ethic of sharing, but because they like to imitate others or because an adult urges them to share.

Parenting Tips

· Introduce the language of sharing: "Mommy's sharing her cookie." "Please share your crayons."

· Play peekaboo and other turn-taking games with your child.

· Give your toddler an empathic reason for sharing: "Annie will be sad if you don't give her some."

What's the Goal?

To practice sharing and to introduce awareness of another's feelings as a basis for fairness.

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