Sharing is an important skill for preschoolers to learn. As adults, we understand that sharing is essential for a calm and productive school and home environment. It can even be a building block for making friends and building positive relationships! Children may only begin to understand the benefits of sharing when they reach the age of three or four. When children are developmentally ready to share, it’s our job to help them!
The Gardner School has helped guide thousands of students with sharing skills over the years. Here are some of our top tips for helping young children learn to share:
Focus on the Positive
Children love words of affirmation and encouragement from the adults in their lives. While your preschooler is learning to share, make sure to mention and highlight any instances of sharing you see! Tell him how kind it was to share his book with a friend or how much her friend must have appreciated it when she shared her blocks. There’s a good chance your child will repeat this behavior if they know it makes their parents, teachers, and friends happy.
Choose Games Wisely
If you have multiple children, it can be tempting to shy away from activities that involve waiting or turn-taking. If you can, embrace these as opportunities to teach your children about sharing. Choose a simple, fun game like Red Light Green Light to practice waiting. Draw pictures and provide one set of markers so they have to take turns using colors. Be prepared to mediate the play because they will need help stretching their sharing muscles!
Respect Boundaries
Learning to share is usually about more than the toy or game at hand. It can also be about a feeling of control or lack thereof. Allow your child to have a say in which toys they do not want to share. You can put these special toys away when friends come over or leave them at home when you’re out and about to avoid the issue.
Set a Good Example
Modeling the behavior we want our children to have is one of the most effective methods for how to teach sharing. If we want children to share, we must also be willing to share. There are plenty of ways to demonstrate this skill to your child. Say yes when they ask for a piece of your snack, or take a lead and offer to share a blanket if you’re sitting on the couch together. Showcasing how to share goes a long way in modeling respect for others’ belongings and reinforces a feeling of security.
Teach Problem-Solving Skills
Part of encouraging a child to be a good friend is to teach them about the skills they need to resolve potential conflicts with their peers—and learning to share is a great place to start. Encourage your child to take turns when playing with siblings, friends, and classmates. If a child is reluctant to take turns, setting a timer can help ensure everyone gets a fair amount of playtime. Consider letting your child play with a toy until they decide they are done with it. Then, you can let the next child have a turn. This is one more way to help your child feel in control of their environment.
Choose Childcare that Teaches Social Skills
At The Gardner School, our experienced teachers understand the importance of teaching age-appropriate social skills like sharing. With family-style meals, an engaging curriculum, and plenty of time for independent and social play, TGS preschoolers build friendships and practice showing kindness to others. Schedule a tour today to meet our teachers and learn more about our community.