Sharing is often interpreted as a sign of kindness and honesty. Therefore, parents encourage their children from a young age to share their toys, snacks, and even time with others. While teaching children to share is important, there is a myth that children should always share everything.
In reality, the idea of sharing everything can be confusing, stressful, and even unhealthy for young children. Let’s look closer at how you can approach sharing in a balanced, healthy way.
Break the Myth of “Sharing Everything”
1. Understanding Boundaries: Children in play group age, between 2 and 5 years, are just starting to understand the concept of personal space, ownership and respect for others’ belongings. Forcing them to share everything can confuse them, leading to frustration as they struggle to understand why they must give up something they value.
2. Learning to Say No: Teaching children that they don’t have to share everything empowers them to say “no” when something doesn’t feel right. Encouraging them to set limits on what they’re willing to share helps them build self-respect and confidence.
3. Not All Sharing Is Equal: It is important to account for how differently children value their possessions. For instance, a child deeply attached to a toy may feel stressed if forced to give it up, while others may willingly share without hesitation. Instead of forcing sharing, teaching context and encouraging generosity when it feels right for them is better.
How to Teach Healthy Sharing
Instead of encouraging children to share everything, here are a few ways to approach the concept of sharing in a way that’s more balanced and beneficial:
1. Teach About Turn-Taking: Turn-taking is an easier concept for preschoolers as it allows them to have their own time with something before passing it along. Dr. Swati Vats, the co-founder of Podar Preschool, suggests one of the best ways to teach sharing is by letting children go to slides in gardens or parks, where children naturally learn to take turns and wait.
2. Lead By Example: Instead of simply telling your child to share, show your children generous behaviour yourself. Let your child see you sharing with others, whether it’s sharing a snack, offering help, or giving a compliment. When children see their parents being generous, they are more likely to follow suit.
3. Encourage Empathy and Understanding: Instead of focusing on the act of sharing or adjusting, help your child understand why it’s important to think about others. Teach them empathy by discussing how others might feel when they don’t share. This helps children understand the emotional side without forcing them to give up something they love.
4. Respect Their Limits: If your child isn’t ready to share, don’t push it. Instead, encourage them to offer something else or help them find a solution. For example, if two children want the same toy, suggest a game where they can take turns playing with it or offer an alternative that both can enjoy.
Conclusion
Remember, sharing is a valuable skill, but it should always be taught in a way that respects your child’s feelings and developmental stage. At Podar Prep Preschool, we focus on the holistic personality development of children by engaging them in group activities where they learn to share their toys or wait for their turn. If you’re looking for a preschool for your child, visit our nearest branch and check our website to learn more!