Most children are less than enthusiastic about sharing. Kids often perceive sharing as a permanent loss, which leads to stingy behaviors and outbursts when faced with the prospect. Because sharing is such an important part of the preschool experience, parents are encouraged to teach their children the following lessons.

How Can I Help My Child to Share in Preschool?

1. Offer Praise for Good Behavior

Children respond much better to praise than punishment. When your child shares, be sure to praise them for the generosity expressed. If they refuse to share, don’t offer a punishment, but do have a talk about why sharing is important. 

2. Use a Timer 

Younger children can have a hard time grasping concepts like sharing. You can make it more tangible by using a timer to illustrate each child’s turn with a certain toy. Not only does this teach patience, but it also establishes that a child will receive the toy again once it’s their turn. 

3. Introduce “Taking Turns” at a Young Age

It’s never too early to get your child on board with being generous. The earlier you introduce the concept, the less resistance your child is likely to have. Even toddlers can be taught to share their toys with mom and dad. During playtime, ask them to “take turns” with you with their toys instead of “sharing” as this is a more concrete way for them to understand the concept. This will help you to instill the behavior early on.

4. Look Beyond Competitive Games

While healthy competition is beneficial to children, make sure they’re exposed to different types of play. For instance, cooperative games show children the importance of collaboration with others. When kids learn how to collaborate effectively, they’ll be more inclined to share. 

Your child’s preschool should also be invested in teaching essential life skills such as sharing. Les Enfants Preschool in Palisades Park, NJ, does exactly that. Since 1980, this preschool has emphasized the importance of early childhood education while also helping children become happy, well-rounded individuals. Their curriculum includes math, literacy and STEM  among many other essential subjects. Visit the website to learn more about their rates or call (201) 592-6695 to begin the enrollment process.