Understanding the Toddler Mine Phase

At the age of 2 and 3 years, children are at their ‘mine’ stage. At the stage of toddler mine phase of development, they greatly transformed into being possessively protective of all their items right from toys to people. The main parent’s complaint is children become more selfish, but in fact, such behavior admits to extending their self-sufficiency.

At this age children begin developing responsibilities and also the realization of who things belong to, words like mine creep into the toddlers’ vocabulary. Parents should also understand that this is natural considering the toddler’s age and no they should not punish the child, but instead correct him or her gently. 

1. Top 8 Expert Tips for Parents

1. 1 Practice Preventive Measures

One of the best ways to cope with the classic toddler mine phase is to prevent a battle from occurring in the first place. For instance, it should involve eradicating items that cause conflicts each time children are playing or during family functions. If possible, get twins of fancy toys so that the toddlers can play together without fighting over who gets which. It is particularly useful in public or at family functions when the “mine phase” is particularly more apparent.

Also, parents can teach toddlers that it is possible to ‘set a timer’, so that they can know when it is time for sharing. You will also find that by using a timer, you are clearly defining expectations and eliminating potential power struggles over objects.

1. 2 Validate Their Feelings

This stage requires the affirmation of feelings from a toddler. Instead of going straight to yelling at them telling them that they are being possessive say something like ‘I know that you would love to have that toy’ or ‘I see that this belongs to you.’ That is why, while gesturing, you hug, and introduce them to a situation or a method of moving through it that will reduce their distress.

These issues should be addressed to foster the toddler’s emotional development and let him or her know that is okay to feel this way during this stage.

1. 3 Teach Turn-Taking

One of the ways that can be implemented to ensure your toddler goes through the mine phase is by training them on turn-taking. When toddlers are learning to share, I have found using of the concept of a timer to be very effective.

You can say, “Take two minutes, Sarah, then you, and then it will be your turn!” Since it’s such an easy approach, they are able to learn how it is wrong not to share and be fair. They will be in a position to understand these social rules as your toddler advances in their stage of development.

1. 4 Model Sharing Behavior

Since toddlers imitate what they see from their parents, they learn how to clobber. To inspire sharing in them you have to show and explain it through your actions every single day.

For example, offer to let your toddler have a bite of your snack or your toy and say, for example, “I am going to give you half of this cookie so that you can eat it too dear because I love you.” Toddlers will learn that it is good to share and they will no longer be able to fight against it because they have seen their parents to be kind enough to share.

1. 5 Build a Commercial Success Environment

By enabling controlled sharing situations then your toddler will be practicing on sharing in relatively more comfortable situations. For instance, arrange to take a child out to play with his/her siblings or a few close friends. During these sessions, make the kids practice sharing toys and encouraging turn-taking.

To make turn-taking easier, use a timer: “Okay for two minutes it is your friend’s turn and the next is your turn” Reward any attempts, even if your toddler shares food with other children for a few seconds. He wants them to know that little wins count so that his actions spur them to keep on trying. In due course, such trips should assist them in sharing and improving how they share.

1. 6 Establish Clear Boundaries

Mine phase requires the best setting with clear boundaries that will facilitate the toddler’s safe exploration. Make sure that your toddler learns what is referred to as ‘common use’ items and those that are for individual use only. For example, toys in a daycare or during play dates should be shared toys but desirable items such as a blanket they fondle should be personal toys.

According to the article, when toddlers are able to distinguish between their belongings and those that can be touched by others, then the situation feels more secure. This structure makes them feel secure while practicing how to go about with society and even acquire social skills. I found that when children have consistent boundaries it will also make them understand how to respect other people’s property.

1. 7 Use Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding is effective in changing behavior as people improve their acts when they are encouraged. When your toddler shares, be sure to offer praise: ‘You were very generous to share your blocks with your friend!’ These specific praise promotes the notion that sharing is a good thing, and is well received among the children.

During this stage of development, toddlers gain increasing consciousness of their actions. Other important previous research has also indicated that children will replicate those behaviors once they discover that they are showered with compliments and commended. Positive reinforcement describes the continuous improvement of empathy and social responsibility.

1. 8 Stay Calm and Consistent

Your response during the toddle mine phase provides the child with a cue to either respond positively or negatively. The following tips can be helpful when your toddler is not willing to share with other kids; Remain calm and don’t change your tune when you are reminding your child of the importance of sharing.

So do not scold them, instead just offer a recap and explain the reasons why they have to share. It is important that the toddler is trained on issues to do with turn-taking; this can be achieved using a timer or even being clear on the expectations. Productivity keeps the child in learning that sharing is mandatory and while doing so, you show them how to manage anger and other related emotions. With time, they will start transforming how they manage this tardy stage.

2. When to Expect Improvement

Children normally progress beyond the ‘mine’ self-centered stage at ages between 4 years of age depending on the unique child. Every toddler would be in different growth and developmental levels, and their willingness to share depends on the level of their emotional and social development. As you will learn, some kids will demonstrate progress in a shorter period than others will take.

If the parents remain consistent with implementing these strategies it will not be long before they begin to see slight changes in their toddler’s behavior. This phase is often witnessed in children of a specific age and as your toddler grows a little older they become more relaxed when it comes to sharing things.

Final Thoughts

The toddler mine phase can be very intensive and challenging to everyone around the child, but this is once again an incredibly fruitful period a in child’s development due to the fact that you can lay foundations for a child’s moral values such as empathy, sharing a, and also the ability to regulate own’s emotions.

When your child is in this stage of development what you can give is time, consistency, and lots of love. Though this phase may be frustrating to endure, it is important to understand that it is only a part of typical development for the toddler As such, with appropriate support, your child will end up in this phase a more resilient and socially informed human being.

Don’t panic, continue rehearsing this recommendation, and remember that this phase is as temporary as any other phase. Your toddler will learn how to share the toys, and how people feel and grow into an empathetic person.

FAQs: Toddler Mine Phase and Behavior

1. Do all toddlers go through the mine phase?

Answer: It is well normal for most toddlers to experience the mine phase, that is, being possessive of toys, objects, and even people. They are normal for the child’s development and will manifest usually in childhood, especially between the ages of 2 and 3. But in an individual sense, every child is unique and may differently feel it as a problem or, on the contrary, notice it more sharply.

2. What Is the Daddy Phase in Toddler?

Answer: The daddy track is that a toddler has a restricted interest in the father, and may choose the father over all other carers. This phase occurs as a decrease in the child’s dependency on his or her parents while they also become more emotionally attached to their parents and may last from one and a half to three years.

3. How long does the Mine stage you ask?

Answer: The mine stage usually takes a child from the age of 2 and up to age 3. It is a relatively common developmental issue, and most children outgrow it before starting school, though in some this may happen at the age of four. With the increase of children’s emotional regulation and social competencies, children will increase their compliance with sharing and ownership.

4. Helping a Toddler get out of the mine stage

Answer: The best ways to share with your toddler when you want to transition from mine are positive rewards and setting a limit. Implementation methods include the use of signals such as a timer to help in turn-taking, the use of pro-modeling by acting out sharing as well as the use of voice praise where one compliments the other for the good action done. More of them will be inclined towards practicing more social behavior when they conduct consistent practices.

5. How Long Will the Toddler Hitting Phase Take?

Answer: The toddler hitting phase is normally between the ages of 18 months and ages of 3 years. It is usually caused by failure or challenges in episodes of communication of feeling. Most children get through this stage as they grow older and do not know how to vent their feelings in other ways than by biting.

6. How Do You Actually Respond To A Mine Toddler?

Answer: When handling a situation where the toddler wants something to be “mine” take a deep breath and reassure him/her. Says things like, “I can tell you really want this,” and designated what details are okay to disclose. Promote the Use of the Turn-Taking by Following the example and using aids such as the use of a timer. If world sharing is regularly praised, certain desirable behaviors will be rewarded leading to positive alteration.