Teaching Children the Right Concept of Sharing

There is a saying that sharing is caring. Sharing with others is an essential virtue that should be learned from an early age.

Parents should therefore teach their children from an early age how to share food, toys, dolls, or other things with others. Sharing can make both the recipient and the giver happy and feel good.

Here are some tips for teaching children the concept of sharing.

1. First, children should not be forced to give something to another child or adult. Nor should they be physically punished or scolded for acting selfishly. Doing so can make them resent their parents' rules and develop a negative perception of sharing.

2. Let children know that they have control over their belongings. For example, if a child says they do not want to share their favorite toy with friends, put it somewhere the other children cannot see it. The child can then share the toy when they decide that playing with it together would be more fun.

3. Teach children not to “demand” that other children share. Sharing is a good thing, but it is not mandatory. Children therefore need to understand that sharing has boundaries and limits. For example, if another child is playing with a toy, your child should wait until that child's turn is over. Children should also be taught that taking something to school or a friend's house means being willing to share that food or item with the children there.

Sharing is a very positive act, but it has limits. People should not be forced by others to share against their will. It should be something they choose to do themselves, out of love.

[FamTimes = Reporter Jo Yun-ha]