Now that the holidays have passed and your kids have most likely opened and played with all of their "new" toys, this is a wonderful time to host a playgroup! Of course, every day of the year is a great day for a playgroup at your house, but especially post-holiday, in my opinion. What's the reason?
Speaking from my own experience watching my child play with other children, it is much easier for her to share a toy or let someone else take a turn when it's not hers to begin with. When we are at a friend's house, we are treated as the guests. My daughter receives preference for the toy she would like to play with because she is the guest. Conversely, when little friends come over to our house to play with all of our "stuff," they receive preference because they are our guest and it's our desire to put them first above ourselves.
While that sounds nicely packaged, it's anything but with a 3-year old. When our 1-year old cousin came over to play (with my 1 and 3 year-olds), I was utterly shocked at the tantrum my 3-year old threw over sharing her chair with him at the table so that the little guy could sit somewhere to eat his snack. That tantrum landed her right in time out in her room.
After talking with her about serving and thinking about her cousin above herself, she (finally) was ready to come downstairs to offer him her seat. This simple task was not easy for her. It took her 2 separate times to finally bring herself to truly offer him the seat without crying. But it was such a good experience for her - to share something that was meaningful and special to her for the benefit of another. This is what hosting a playgroup can do for your child.
Coming off of the holidays with so many nice, new, shiny toys, many children may find it difficult to share what they have with others. Rather than staying "safe" in your 4 walls, consider inviting a friend over to help your child practice sharing. Taking turns and trading can be a great option for young children, and setting a timer for a set period of time can indicate when one person's turn is over and the other is beginning.
As I was reading 'The Rainbow Fish' to my daughter today, it was a great springboard into this very topic of sharing what we have, even what we treasure the most with others around us. And when we share even something small that is meaningful to us with others, it brings joy to the receiver of the gift. Thank you, Rainbow Fish, for reminding us that it is more beautiful to give than to receive.