How To Teach Children Sharing and Taking Turns

Sharing and taking turns are important skills but children are not born knowing how to share. It is something they need to learn and practice and it can be hard! Even adults have a hard time sharing.

Here are some tips on helping your child learn to share and take turns.

1. Make it fun. Do things together with your child, for example puzzles or playing in the toy kitchen. Take turns with your child and talk about what you are doing. “First it’s your turn”. “Now it’s my turn”. It is often easier for children to practice sharing with an adult.

2. Don’t punish your child if they are having a hard time sharing. Sharing is something we all have to learn and it is hard work. Catch your child being good. Every time they share, tell them they are doing a good job.

3. Help your child to problem solve. If another child has a toy, encourage your child to wait for it or to go find something else to do. Give them the words they need. “May I have a turn?” “When you are finished with it, please give it to me.”

4. Be a good model. Share things with your child and talk about what you are doing. “I have a lot of crackers. I will share some with you”. “Let’s share this cookie”.

Know that it can take a lot of time and practice to learn to share.