My daughter is 4yo, an only child. She is very social and generally well adjusted. She eats well and sleeps well. She loves babies and is very gentle. She loves to play with older children, following their lead.

I have a concern about helping her deal with slightly younger children. 2-3 year olds take things without asking, which is age appropriate. If our daughter says no, they take it anyway. I’m glad to say, she doesn’t fight or snatch it away again. Instead, she wails. The tears roll down her cheeks, and the cries pierce my ears. She is genuinely upset. If I try to talk with the other child and ask him or her to share or give it back, it hasn’t worked. The child is too young and is confused (and awed) by our daughter’s huge reaction. I’ve also tried to distract our daughter with other activities, but she is single minded at this point. She wants the item back, and nothing else will do.

This type of scenario has happened in multiple environments, with different younger children and different objects. I don’t want to suggest to her that she take the desired item back by force. Suggestions?