At what age do children begin to understand the concept of sharing?

Children typically begin to understand the concept of sharing between the ages of 3 to 4 years. At this stage of development, they are starting to engage in more complex social interactions and begin to grasp the idea that other people have feelings and desires that are separate from their own.

Around 3 to 4 years of age, children might show some willingness to share toys and resources with their peers during playtime, although their motivation might still be influenced by immediate desires, such as wanting to play together or avoid conflict. They begin to understand that sharing can lead to positive social outcomes, like friendships and cooperation. While they may not consistently share or understand the full implications of sharing, this age marks a critical point where the foundations for cooperative play and social sharing skills start to develop.

Understanding sharing becomes more refined as children grow older, particularly as they develop empathy and perspective-taking skills, which continue to evolve into the later preschool years and beyond.