Sharing

Hannah has discovered sharing. I don't know if it's related, but a recent study has shown that children not much older than Hannah can demonstrate altruistic behavior (helping others). This past week she learned to hand us things when we say "please", and that we will give it back to her when we say "Would you like it back?". It's probably not altruism, but she loves it as a little game nonetheless. What seems a little more like genuine sharing is her sharing of food. We've found that she is more likely to eat her food when sharing is involved. It started with her though; unprompted she will eat half of a Cheerio, Puff or yogurt melt and then try to put the other half in one of our mouths. Then if we do the same, even when she seems fussy and doesn't want to eat, she will take the half eaten item from us and finish it. Apparently food is more appetizing when it has changed hands a couple of times. Heidi found that if she puckers up and holds a Cheerio in her lips, Hannah can't resist grabbing it and eating it. Makes you feel like a mama bird. Wow...that didn't sound gross until I typed it out.