For ages 3–6 | A gentle lesson in emotions and sharing

📖 The Story

One sunny afternoon, a 4-year-old girl named Maya was excited — her little cousin from abroad was coming to visit for the first time!

He was only 2 years old — small, curious, and adorable. Everyone in the house was thrilled. They cuddled him, took pictures, and gave him lots of attention. Maya was happy to have him around too — at first.

But soon, something started to feel... strange.

Every time Maya played with her favorite toys — her pink elephant, her sticker book, her building blocks — someone would say:

“Maya, let him play too.”
“You’re the big sister now. You have to share.”

So she gave him her toys. She gave him her blocks. Even her favorite elephant.

But inside, Maya felt sad. No one had asked her how she felt. No one noticed how tightly she held her toy before letting it go. No one heard the little sigh she gave as she watched her cousin scribble on her sticker book.

Soon, Maya stopped smiling. She started saying "no" a lot. She threw a few toys. She even walked away when her name was called.

The grown-ups called it a “tantrum.” But really, Maya's heart just felt a little squished.

💬 A Pause for Parents

As millennial parents, we often grew up being told to share — no matter what. But now we know better: sharing isn’t just about handing things over — it’s about understanding how it feels to let go of something we love.

Children between the ages of 3–5 are learning about ownership, control, and emotional safety. When we say “just share it,” without involving their choice, it might feel like we’re ignoring their emotions.

Here’s a gentler approach:

🧸 Instead of “You have to share,” try:
“That’s your favorite toy. Would you like to keep it safe and share something else instead?”

❤️ Or even:
“I know you love that one. It's okay to feel like you don’t want to share it right now.”

When we validate their emotions, we teach them empathy — not just obedience.

🌟 A Happy Ending

Later that day, Maya’s mom sat beside her and said:

“You don’t have to give away your favorite toy if you don’t feel ready. Would you like to choose something else to share with your cousin?”

Maya smiled. She ran to her room and brought a soft teddy bear and a musical toy. Her cousin laughed with joy. And Maya? She felt proud — because she chose to share with her heart, not because she was told to.

And that made all the difference.

🪴 Final Thought

Sometimes, sharing begins not with letting go — but with feeling safe, seen, and understood.