Sharing is probably one of the most important lessons parents must teach their children Remember the old adage."sharing is caring." Children learn from their surroundings and by examples, and you are their best role model. Thus, if your child notices that you share with others. It may induce your child to do the same. Of course, some kids are happy buy mature to give a pal one of their cookies, but most kids ate possessive about their stuff. In fact, many toddlers are not developmentally ready to share. Sure, they can play side by side with other children if you keep a close eye on them, but expect some inconsistencies with give-and-take. Sharing is a learned activity, and mastering it takes time. Nonetheless, you can introduce your child now to the merits sharing, and then build on the groundwork you are laying as s/he gets older. However, kids will be kids and they tend to guard what is theirs with a passion!
Here are some ways to teach your child how to share and grow into a better human being:Practice taking turns
You flip one page of your child's bedtime book, and she flips the
next. You stack a block on top of hers, and then she stacks another
on top of yours, You could also take turns putting puzzle pieces
together or pushing a toy car down a ramp. Try give-and-take games
too. You hug her teddy, and then give it to her to hug and return it
back to you. She will begin to learn that taking turns and sharing
can be fun and that giving up her things does not mean that she
will never get them back.
Do not punish stinginessIf you tell your child that she is selfish or force her to hand
over a prized possession, you will encourage resentment, not
generosity. Never yell at your child, but be firm in your reprimands. Y
telling rarely gets you anywhere and does not set a good example.
Respect your child's things
If you child fells that her clothes, books, or toys are being
manhandled, it is unlikely she will give them up. So ask permission
before you borrow her crayon, and give her the option of saying no.
Make sure that siblings, playmates, and babysitters respect her things
too, by asking them to take good care when they use them.
Lead by example
The best way for your child to learn generosity is to witness it.
So share your ice-cream with her.Offer her your scarf to wear, and
ask if you can try on her hair clip. Use the word "share" to describe
what you are doing, and do not forget to teach her that intangible
(like feeling, ideas, and stories) can be shared too. Must important,
let her see you give and take, compromise and sharing with others.
Thank your child for sharing her toys with you or others.
Making friends
Tell your child that no sharing may mean her friends will not
want to share with her either. Lay down some ground rules at the
start if needed. For instance, tell her that she will only be allowed
to invite other children over if she shares her toys with them. Teach
your child to think of others and how happy it makes them when
they share. You could also create situations at home where your
child will have no alternative but to share. For instance, if another
child has come over, only give them one set of crayons between
the two of them.
Finally, it is best to start instilling good behavior in children when they are young. If everything fails, remember this is probably a stage your child may outgrow.
By VOW
