Want to encourage your child to share? Learning to share is an important part of children’s social and emotional development. Sharing is a crucial life skill that helps children build relationships and develop empathy for others.
In this blog, we will explore some tips for encouraging sharing.
Lead by example
Children learn by observing their parents and other adults. Model sharing behaviour by sharing your own toys, food, or other items with others. Show your child that sharing is a positive and important part of life.
Use positive reinforcement
Reinforce sharing behaviour by praising your child when they share. Let them know that you appreciate their willingness to share and that it is a positive thing to do.
Teach sharing through play
Playtime is an excellent opportunity to teach sharing. Encourage your child to play with others and to share toys and games. Set clear expectations for sharing and use gentle reminders when necessary.
Encourage cooperative play
Cooperative play, such as playing games or working on a project together, can help children learn to share and work together. This type of play allows children to take turns and share resources, helping to develop their sharing skills.
Discuss sharing
Talk to your child about sharing and why it is important. Use real-life examples and stories to help illustrate the concept. Ask your child to share their thoughts and feelings about sharing, and encourage them to think about how sharing makes others feel.
Encourage empathy
Teach your child to put themselves in other people’s shoes and understand how sharing can make others feel. Ask them how they would feel if someone took their toy or food, and encourage them to think about how they can make others feel better by sharing.
Set clear expectations
Clearly explain what sharing means and what is expected of your child. Use clear and simple language, and be consistent in your expectations. Consistency and clarity in your expectations will help your child understand what is expected of them and make it easier for them to comply.
Practice sharing
Encourage your child to practice sharing by giving them opportunities to share their toys, food, or other items with others. Provide them with gentle reminders and positive feedback to help reinforce sharing behaviour.
Manage conflicts
Sharing can sometimes lead to conflicts, especially when children are young. When conflicts arise, help your child resolve them by encouraging them to communicate their feelings, listen to each other, and find a solution that works for everyone.
Sharing is an important skill for children to learn as it helps them to develop social skills, build relationships, enhance problem-solving skills, encourage generosity, and develop emotional intelligence. Parents play an important role in teaching their children the value of sharing and we hope these tips help you to encourage your children to develop this important life skill.
Looking for more tips? Here is an article to help support emotional regulation in children. Here is an article on supporting children with a new baby in the family.
