During these next few days and weeks of graduations from preschool all the way up to college, one of the best lessons that a person can learn is an applicable diploma of sharing and caring.

The foundation of earning this degree starts in the early childhood years.

What a wonderful world we would have if everyone took the time to share what they have with others. To meet the needs of others with food, material items or just time spent with another person are values that we need to teach our young children. What a bright light a person or young child can be to a family, community and world.

Kindness is a good contagious quality to have in today’s world. Though speaking about kindness is simple, doing it takes time and thought. The rewards to another person’s life are immeasurable. Young children seem to understand this concept.

All children are born unique and special; some children will share without being asked or taught this. But for most children, sharing is very hard. Much of a young child’s identity is locked into what they have such as a teddy bear or doll.

Developmentally, toodlers, and 2- and 3-year-olds think more of their needs. Children at age 4 begin to really understand what it means to share.

The following are a few ideas I’d like to share that I have learned from the classroom as well as from other teachers and resources:

• There are many good books and DVDS in our local library on sharing.
• Demonstrate sharing and generosity by example. Take time to let your young child share. It may be cutting in half a piece of fruit with your young child to share.
• With your young preschooler, point out and discuss other people’s needs such as Mom’s needs, Dad’s needs, siblings’ needs and neighborhood needs. Ask your young child about ways they can help meet others’ needs with chores, for example.
• Praise children when they share with other people in the family. Hug, verbally encourage and let them know that you are happy when they share.
• It’s neat to sit back and watch little ones learn to share between each other. Children can learn from their peers on how to share. They learn the key word, which is compromise.
• From sharing and caring, children love the character traits of love, kindness and patience.

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.

Her column appears regularly in The Bulletin.