Why are toddlers often too busy to understand sharing?

Toddlers are in a developmental stage where they are primarily focused on their own immediate needs and emotions. At this age, children are learning to navigate their world, which often involves intense exploration and self-centered behaviors. Their priorities revolve around fulfilling their basic requirements, such as hunger, comfort, and security. This focus on their own needs can make the concept of sharing seem less important or even foreign to them.

During toddlerhood, children also have limited understanding of social norms and the expectations that come with interacting with others. Their cognitive skills are still developing, and they may not yet grasp the idea that taking turns and sharing can benefit social interactions. As such, sharing is not a natural instinct for toddlers, making it challenging for them to engage in this behavior.

The other options suggest various reasons why toddlers might struggle with sharing, but they do not capture the primary reason that toddlers are preoccupied with their own developmental tasks at this stage.