What To Do About The Chronic Toy Taker

[jenboo]

DCG is about 20 months old. She is a chronic toy taker. All day, every day. She could be on the other side of the room playing, a child will pick up a toy and DCG bolts over to snatch the toy from their hands.

Also, if I ask a child to hand me something, DCG grabs it first to hand it to me.

Also also, DCG likes to bug the other kids. She will walk around poking DCB until he cries. DCG never shows any emotion to this.

I have tried various things over the past few months and these behaviors haven't gotten better at all. I need some fresh ideas on how to handle DCG's behavior.
Thanks!

[CalCare]

Hi, I see you said you have tried a few things. I was wondering if you tried the sportscasting or letting them work it out with a little help from you?

[Indoorvoice]

My advice is to let it go. The other kids will learn to speak up and the toy taker will learn natural consequences. Sportscasting like pp said is a great way to stay present and acknowledge the other kids' feelings without getting too involved!

[jenboo]

Hi, I see you said you have tried a few things. I was wondering if you tried the sportscasting or letting them work it out with a little help from you?

Yes that is exactly what we have been doing for months. The other children get really upset and then everyone is grumpy. It really puts a damper on our day.
It's constant. Like literally everytime a child touches a toy, dcg snatches it.

[jenboo]

My advice is to let it go. The other kids will learn to speak up and the toy taker will learn natural consequences. Sportscasting like pp said is a great way to stay present and acknowledge the other kids' feelings without getting too involved!

Some of the kids are only infants though. I know the importance of letting them work it out but it's excessive. Meltdown after meltdown after meltdown. It makes for a long day because no one else can play.
Dcg has zero reaction to the other kids. It doesn't matter if they yell, cry, chase after her to get the toy back ect. None of it affects her.

[Indoorvoice]

Can you gate off an area for her to play in?

[childcaremom]

I have this child!

I tried similar tactics and found the same thing, that it was bugging the others. So I have worked with all of my group to speak up "My turn." and stepping in when they need assistance. Reminding them that Jake is still using the car but when he is done then you can have a turn. Or thank you for getting that for me but I asked Susie to bring it to me. Etc etc.

It's been about a month of me doing this with them and they are catching on. Still need help occasionally but it is improving.

[Gemma]

Could be just an age thing, most of the kids I've had displayed this behavior at some point or another....I reinforce the "find a toy no one else is playing with" ...over and over...eventually they outgrow it.

[jenboo]

I have this child!

I tried similar tactics and found the same thing, that it was bugging the others. So I have worked with all of my group to speak up "My turn." and stepping in when they need assistance. Reminding them that Jake is still using the car but when he is done then you can have a turn. Or thank you for getting that for me but I asked Susie to bring it to me. Etc etc.

It's been about a month of me doing this with them and they are catching on. Still need help occasionally but it is improving.

These are the things i have been saying. None of the other kids talk yet though. Well one says hi abs bye but that's it ::

[jenboo]

Can you gate off an area for her to play in?

The only place i could gate her is into the hallway. I would have to see if that's against licensing though.

[jenboo]

Could be just an age thing, most of the kids I've had displayed this behavior at some point or another....I reinforce the "find a toy no one else is playing with" ...over and over...eventually they outgrow it.

I'll try that phrase. I only care for children up to two years so i won't have her much longer.
I know it's normal but it totally ruins everyone's day and mood.

[debbiedoeszip]

I also have a chronic toy taker. I only get involved if it's right in my face, or if it's getting out of control between him and another child. Otherwise I let them sort it out. The poking I would stop right away, though.

[debbiedoeszip]

Yes that is exactly what we have been doing for months. The other children get really upset and then everyone is grumpy. It really puts a damper on our day.
It's constant. Like literally everytime a child touches a toy, dcg snatches it.

It's also very normal, though. Shadow and redirect if you think that it's too disruptive for your group.

[CalCare]

https://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/02/what-to-do-about-a-toddler-toy-taker/

https://www.janetlansbury.com/2014/06/toddler-toy-battles-interventions-that-work-podcast/

These might help. It is definitely directed at age 0-2 so this would be developmenally appropriate for your dcg. Good luck!

[AmyKidsCo]

https://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/0...ler-toy-taker/

https://www.janetlansbury.com/2014/06/toddler-toy-battles-interventions-that-work-podcast/

These might help. It is definitely directed at age 0-2 so this would be developmenally appropriate for your dcg. Good luck!

LOVE Janet Lansbury!!

My 19 yr old granddaughter is like this. She's out for the reaction from the child. She loves to take 23 mo old DCG's lovey and runs away with it when DCG screams. I know she wants the reaction because once she took something from 14 mo old DCB and when he didn't react she shook it in his face, then danced away, turned to shake it, danced back again, put it in his lap, grabbed it and ran away again, then finally put it down because he just looked at her like she was crazy.

Maybe your little one is just looking for a big reaction?