By Charlotte Gerber
One of the most difficult things to learn when you are little is how to share. If you are an only child your first foray into this unknown territory is either daycare or kindergarten. Children with siblings learn at an early age that they have to share their toys with their brothers and sisters. Either way, teaching how to share can be stressful for both parent and child.
There are a few tried and true methods to help your child learn the concept of sharing before they go out into the world. One way is to show your child how to share using food as a learning tool. Start by asking your child if you can have something of theirs such as a piece of dry cereal or a piece of fruit. Children will usually share with their mom or dad before they will share with other children. Make a game of sharing and be sure to encourage them to ask you for something of yours as well. Praise your child when they share with others to encourage good behavior.
Sharing isn’t just about toys and food, it is about being a member of a family. Young children can be taught to take part in family chores. Small children can help sort socks by color, put napkins on the table at mealtimes and help you put dry food in the pet bowls. Sharing chores at an early age will help your children learn that they play an important part in their family.
When your family gets together for meal times encourage each member of the family to share things that happened to them during the day. Each member should be able to speak uninterrupted. Respecting each other in this way will help your child learn the art of conversation as well.
There will be times when despite your best intentions your child will lapse into the “mine, mine, mine!” frame of mind. Before a brawl breaks out try a unique way of issuing a time out: put the toy in timeout instead of the children. Nothing will get a child’s attention like punishing a toy. Most children will find this funny and it will give you an opportunity to talk to them about sharing nicely.
When your child has a play date or is off to school remind them of what your expectations are. Odds are that they will surprise you with good behavior even when you are not around to supervise them.
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