Teaching children about sharing involves teaching them about respect

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SHARING ©1996

by Shel Silverstein

I’ll share your toys.  I’ll share your money,
I’ll share your toast, I’ll share your honey,
I’ll share your milk and your cookies too –
The hardest part’s sharing mine with you.

When a child enters pre-school, one of the behaviors childcare providers begin observing and assessing is the child’s ability to share space, toys, time, etc., with other children (and with the adults) in a group situation.

Demonstrating the ability to independently share without the need of constant prompting or reminders from adults is considered an area of strength.  It is understood that young children will sometimes forget how to share or show respect, and will need reminders from others.

Children sometimes have a natural tendency to be self-centered and selfish; requiring the ongoing help and guidance of adults so they learn how to share early on.  Children who are naturally inclusive and empathetic may be more inclined to freely share and show respect for others on their own.

Investing the time and energy to help children understand the “how” and “why” of sharing also helps teach children about respect.

It’s expected that lessons are taught at home to children about how to share and show respect to others.

Ways to teach sharing and respect to young children are:

•    Provide social opportunities for children in small groups so they can naturally practice taking turns, sharing toys, etc.  Make observations and provide calm and immediate guidance if disrespect or an inability to share is noted.
•    Adults can play with children to model for them how to share by verbally describing sharing and respectful behavior as it’s being done (i.e., “And, now I’m going to let YOU have the yellow crayon so that you can color your Mr. Sun yellow,” etc.)
•    Engage your child in charitable giving.  Easily do this by recycling slightly used clothing and giving the clothing to a younger relative or friend.   Arrange to have the other child photographed wearing a favorite giveaway outfit; or bring the children together for a play date where a recycled outfit is worn.

These early lessons about how to share and show respect will help children demonstrate healthy social skills during the elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and beyond years.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at www.examiner.com.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."  (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)