Sharing is an important life skill as an adult. However, sharing doesn’t come naturally for most. It is a learned skill starting in childhood. As a parent, you can help your child develop their sharing skills during playtime with friends.
During playtime, your child may have a variety of toys, some being the most popular amongst all children. If your child or another in the group has not developed sharing skills, it can turn into a tantrum. The following tips can help improve sharing skills to prevent conflict and benefit their life long-term:
Teaching Sharing Skills
Sharing is Not Only Objects
Sharing is not only physical objects. It can be time and space as well. This conflict often arises when the child gains a new sibling. When this occurs, you should teach your child how to take turns.
A way to do this is by modeling patient behavior. For example, when your child gets restless and frustrated because Dad has to help his big brother with homework before playing Legos, calmly explain the situation. Coaching your child to take turns may be timely but worth the efforts.
Play Cooperative Games
Cooperative games require taking turns to play. These types of games include puzzles, board games, and rolling a ball back and forth. Your child will share the play time with another and learn patience as the friend takes their turn.
Use Sharing Language
Children can often feel with you get frustrated. While teaching sharing is not an easy task, using sharing language acknowledges their feelings and praises them when they share. For example,
“I know how frustrating is can be to wait but it is baby’s turn. You are next.”
“Can you help me carry the dishes to the sink? Wow! You are such a good helper.”
Positive Reinforcements
Children often learn new habits through positive reinforcement. For example, schools use gold stars. Similarly, you can reinforce sharing toys and time with positive reinforcement. A reinforcement can diffuse a tantrum. Instead of forcing them to share, bring out a cooperative toy.
Sharing can be difficult to teach a child. However, the life skill will be beneficial long-term. Visit Toys N More in Reno, Nevada for cooperative toys. We sell educations toys to benefit children.