Raising Kind Kids: Simple Ways to Encourage Sharing

Sharing is a skill that doesn’t come naturally to kids; it is a trait that needs to be developed. 

One moment, you see kids playing with each other like they are the best of friends, and the next moment, you find them fighting over a toy as if their lives depend on it. It is a tricky situation to deal with.

Teaching sharing & caring will not only help you solve this conflict, but also help lay the groundwork for developing socio-emotional skills. 

Leading pre-nursery schools in Gurgaon see sharing as an important building block in a child’s holistic learning journey. It’s a skill that prepares children for teamwork, friendship, and harmonious living in a community.

Why Is Sharing Important In Education?

Before we jump into teaching the skill of sharing to the little ones, let’s understand why sharing is important for a child. Learning to share teaches a child – 

• Empathy 

Sharing teaches kids to consider other people’s feelings and needs, developing empathy.

• Social Skills 

Sharing toys with peers helps kids form a relationship built on collaboration, care, and compassion. 

• Fairness & Equality 

Taking turns reinforces the idea that everyone should have an equal opportunity to play and enjoy equally.

When Do Kids Learn To Share?

Sharing is not a part of the kids’ personality. It’s a skill which is developed over time. Kids learn the art of sharing at different stages. 

Toddlers (1-3 years)

There’s no surprise if your two-year-old child doesn’t cooperate with their playmates. Their brain isn’t yet developed enough to see things from another person’s perspective. A toddler being territorial and fighting over toys, shouting ‘it’s mine’, is completely normal. 

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

By the age of 3, children start to understand the concept of sharing. Even if they are reluctant to share their things, they have an idea of what is right. Through playful and positive guidance, you can teach them to take turns.

How to Teach Sharing To The Little Ones?

• Model sharing in everyday life

Young children are excellent imitators. They look up to their parents. So, if they notice you sharing food, lending your pen, offering help to someone, or even taking turns with your partner for your kid’s bedtime stories, they’ll be more likely to follow your footsteps. It makes them feel that sharing is a part of life and a positive trait. 

• Incorporate sharing into play 

Most of the conflicts related to sharing arise at playtime, when the child is not ready to take turns. But what if you turn these games into a tool to teach your child the art of sharing and caring? Board games like Ludo, Snakes & Ladders, and Tic-Tac-Toe encourage kids to be patient and play with fairness. This hands-on approach will give you faster and visible improvement in your children’s socio-emotional skills. Many pre-nursery schools in Gurgaon incorporate sharing activities for preschoolers to prepare them for future situations.

• Praise positive behaviour 

Positive reinforcement is much more effective than giving punishments for their mistakes, especially when it comes to reinforcing good behaviour. Acknowledge your child’s efforts in sharing and collaborating. Your encouraging words are fuel for their learning journey. Reward them occasionally for being generous with their siblings and friends. They will be more likely to repeat their good behaviour in future.

• Teach turn-taking first 

Asking to share toys & personal items can come off as tough for the toddlers. First, introduce the concept of sharing by teaching them to take turns. Set timers while playing, like ‘you can play with the doll for 15 minutes, and then it’s your sister’s turn.’ This makes them realise that sharing isn’t about giving up their cherished things entirely. They can play with their favourite toy while taking care of their sibling’s feelings. 

• Respect personal boundaries

Sharing shouldn’t be forced. It should be a natural emotion. To develop this good habit of sharing, you first need to make them understand the importance of sharing.  Everyone has some special things that they don’t feel like sharing. When your kid’s friends come for a playdate, ask them to put their personal belongings away that they don’t want to share. This segmentation of objects will make them share other toys with their friends. 

Conclusion 

Sharing is an important skill for the development of a child’s social and emotional growth. At Beansprouts, one of the top pre-nursery schools in Gurgaon, encourages collaborative play among their students to raise compassionate individuals. Using the right strategies, both parents and educators can help children embrace the joy of giving as much as receiving.