Encouraging Sharing Among Children: Strategies for Promoting Sharing Behavior in Your Kids
In the world of childhood development, learning to share is a crucial milestone. Sharing not only helps children practice waiting their turn and managing emotions, but it also builds emotional resilience and promotes empathy and kindness. Here are some effective strategies for parents to teach their children to share.
Firstly, be a role model. Children learn by observing adults’ behaviour, so it's essential to demonstrate sharing and empathy in everyday actions. This could be as simple as sharing your own belongings or showing respect and affection towards others.
Secondly, teach taking turns and compromise. Explain the idea of sharing as taking turns or cooperating rather than simply giving something away. This helps children understand fairness and mutual respect.
Thirdly, praise sharing behaviour. Recognise and verbally praise when a child shares or behaves empathetically, reinforcing positive social actions without applying pressure or punishment.
Fourthly, plan group activities and playdates. Engage children in group games and play where sharing, negotiating, and teamwork naturally occur. This allows them to practice social skills in a low-stress, supportive environment.
Fifthly, use everyday examples. Point out acts of sharing and kindness in daily life, emphasising that sharing goes beyond material things to include love, respect, and joy. This broadens a child’s understanding of empathy.
Sixthly, encourage open communication. Teach children to express their feelings and respect others' boundaries and feelings. Encourage them to stop sharing or playing if someone asks, which fosters mutual respect and emotional awareness.
Lastly, be patient and supportive. Avoid forcing sharing, which can cause stress or negative feelings. Instead, use positive reinforcement, clear and simple instructions, and be patient as children develop these skills at their own pace.
It's important to remember that refraining from forcing children to share is also crucial. Forcing sharing may lead to resentment or frustration, so instead, focus on encouraging sharing, discussing the benefits, and helping children understand why it's important.
By implementing these strategies, parents can create a positive, supportive learning environment where children develop sharing habits, empathy, and important social skills without stress or harm. After all, sharing makes others happy and strengthens friendships, making it a valuable skill to learn and practice.
[1] Source: Zero to Three (2020). Sharing: Helping Children Learn to Share. Retrieved from https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/215-sharing-helping-children-learn-to-share [2] Source: American Psychological Association (2021). Helping Children Learn to Share. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/parenting/sharing [3] Source: Understood (2021). Teaching Kids to Share: A Parent's Guide. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/teaching-kids-to-share [4] Source: KidsHealth (2021). Helping Your Child Learn to Share. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/share.html [5] Source: HealthyChildren.org (2021). Helping Your Child Learn to Share. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Helping-Your-Child-Learn-to-Share.aspx
- cultivating an environment that promotes health-and-wellness, learning, and lifestyle skills, emphasizes teaching children the importance of science, particularly in the area of social development, such as learning to share;
- by adopting methods such as model role-playing, turn-taking practice, and empathetic praise for sharing behavior, parents can help their children develop emotional resilience, empathy, and kindness, which are essential elements of any health-and-self-development curriculum;
- education-and-self-development materials including parenting guides and resources from reputable sources like Zero to Three, the American Psychological Association, Understood, KidsHealth, and HealthyChildren.org can offer valuable insights on effectively teaching children to share, promoting healthier childhoods;
- encouraging communication and emotional awareness among young children, while nurturing their relationship-building skills through group activities and playdates, allows for a more comprehensive learning-and-health-and-wellness experience, fostering a harmonious environment.
