How to Teach Children to Share

Set a Good Example

• Kids copy the behavior of those whom they trust. At home, look for opportunities to model sharing with others in front of your child. When you share a book with another adult, for example, tell your child what you are doing and why. Take your little one with you as you share homemade cookies with a neighbor. Share some popcorn with your child. In addition, point out instances of sharing when you see it, WebMD suggests. For example, when you see children in a park sharing their toys, point it out to your child so he can see what sharing looks like.

Praise Sharing

• When you see your child sharing with others, acknowledge the action to reinforce the positive behavior. Instead of saying, ̶0;Good job̶1; or ̶0;That was nice you,̶1; the website Scholastic Parents suggests that you make your praise specific to the action so your child knows what she did correctly. In such an instance, you might say, ̶0;Thank you for sharing your cuddly bear with your brother. He likes playing with you.̶1; In addition to acknowledging your child's act of sharing after you have requested it of her, praise the good deed when she does it without your direction.

Practice Taking Turns

• To help your child break the habit of grabbing items from people̵7;s hands instead of nicely asking for them, play games that involve taking turns. In addition to promoting the act of sharing, such games reinforce social, fine motor and cognitive skills, according to Scholastic Parents. Good choices include card games or board games where players take turns flipping cards or moving pieces. Alternatively, have your child help you make up the rules to a new game. Explain to her that taking turns when playing games is like sharing toys, and it allows everyone involved to have fun.

Planning Ahead

• When a play date is on the calendar or you know your child will be around other kids, help her learn to share by preparing her for the experience. If the other kids are coming to your house, have your child pick out toys that she is willing to share. Similarly, have the other children bring their own toys, and tell your little on that if she wants to play with a friend̵7;s toy, she has to share one of her own.