Learning to Share

Humans start learning to share during the preschool years and continue into their adult years. It’s an important skill and one that sometimes doesn’t come easy for children. When your child refuses to share, they aren’t being selfish their acting their age. Your child will develop this skill when they realize that they are not always the center of attention. Here are some simple ways to start teaching your preschooler about sharing:

Demonstrate Sharing

Imitation is one of the primary means of learning for your child. They often do what they see, so as you share with others make sure to draw attention to your actions. For example, you might point out that it feels good to help a neighbor by sharing a book or lending yard tools and that your neighbor appreciates it too. Ask your child how they help others in school on the playground or during sports.

Acknowledge sharing

Recognize and praise when your child shares with a sibling or friend. Praise them for their efforts give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. Through positive reinforcement, he/she will feel good about themselves and want to make you happy by repeating those actions.

Here are a few activities that make it easy to share:

•Art projects: making pretend cookies with clay or drawing pictures and have them share with siblings

•Meals: Cut up a piece of fruit and count out the shared pieces. Then give a few pieces to your child and yourself to show an example of you sharing.

•Giving gifts: Make homemade gifts, coloring a pictures or making a card for mom, dad, guardian or anyone.

If your preschooler doesn’t share well, it’s probably a stage they will outgrow. With your guidance your toddler will begin to understand the importance of sharing.



Sources: www.greatschools.org

www.babycenter.com

www.more4kids.info