What a wonderful world we would have if everyone took time to share what they have with others.

To meet the needs of others with food, material items, or time are lessons that we need to teach our young children. In working with young children we must realize that it is very hard for them to share. We have to guide them by being a good role model on sharing. As you sit down, play and interact with your child, role play with them situations of sharing. Also, praise and encourage your child when they share.

All children are born special; some children will share without being asked or taught to do so. 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.  Looking at developmental stages of children, toddlers, 2s and 3s, they think more of their needs, whereas children at age 4 begin to really understand what it means to share. Children who are 6, 7 and 8 learn the importance of sharing and cooperating with other children.

As a teacher, I’d like to share some tips I’ve used to help children learn this value:

•There aremany good books about sharing. Our local librarians would be glad to help you find books, videos and DVDS on sharing. 

•Demonstrate sharing and generosity by example.  It may be cutting in half a piece of fruit with your young child. Like if you cut an apple horizontally in half a star is at the core.  

•With your young preschooler point out and discuss other people’s needs such as Mom’s. Dad’s. Siblings. People in the neighborhood. In making gifts for parents with young children a child might say their favorite color is a certain one. Ask them what their parents’ favorite color is in making their parents a gift. The same can go for food; they may say, “I like cheese pizza,” but ask them to think what Mom or Dad may like such as pepperoni pizza in which they would need to learn to share other people’s favorites.

•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.  According to their age, if older children still haven’t learned to share as they should — such as when they keep all the toys to themselves — it is important that parents show they disapprove of selfishness. Don’t be too harsh, but positively start guiding your young child in steps of sharing.

•In working with your child in sharing their toys with friends consider separating their toys.

In teaching them to share step by step, your child may have some of their favorite toys you might consider putting up in order to avoid arguments. Ask your child to decide upon toys they would like to share in playing together.

A craft lesson I love to do with children is to make helping hands. These helping hands can be pulled like coupons to help you on a busy day. And it teaches your child responsibility as well as sharing and caring.

It’s so wonderful to step back and watch your young child share on his own. 

Parents, you are very special to take extra time to teach your child to share. 

When we share it shows we care.

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