How to teach your child to share

teach your child to share

It is important for children to learn to share.  This may help them with social relationships as they grow into adulthood and it is an lesson easier learned when they are younger.  Consider the following tactics.
Let them share toys with their siblings
If they have siblings, you might want to get some toys for them to share.  In most families this is naturally the case, because you may have some big ticket items like a toy kitchen or a motorized car that you only have one of.  Sometimes you might purposely want to buy one so that they understand how to share.  Show them how it is nice to take turns and exactly how to do it such as by using a timer so each person gets a fair turn.

 

Talk to them about sharing

You will want to bring up the subject of sharing with your children.  Explain why it is so important to share with others.  Talk to them about how good they can feel when they share because they can watch someone else being happy.  Talk about how it is sad when someone doesn't share with them.
Help them share on the playground or when at playdates
You will want to teach children to share with all different sorts of people.  When you go to the playground, talk about how you share things like the swings and how everyone takes a turn.  You can bring sand toys and encourage them to let other kids play with them.  You can do the same a playdates or other places where your children interact with other kids. This might be especially important if your child is an only child and used to having his or her own toys.
Have them give to others
You can also teach them to share what they have been blessed with.  One nice idea is to have the children share with those less fortunate.  There are many charities where you can donate toys for instance.  You can have the children pick out a toy to "share" with those with less resources.
Praise them for sharing
When your child shares on his or her own you should praise them.  They will feel pride and might be more likely to do it in the future.  You can correct them when they do not share.
It is great when kids learn to share at a young age.  The above tips may help you teach this.