The importance of teaching your kids to share their toys can reward them for years to come. When you share and give to others, you receive more than you ask for. It’s a vital social skill that, when appropriately implemented, enhances a child’s ability to make friends, cope with fairness, and acquire patience. Here’s the importance of teaching this skill and how to tackle the art of taking turns with your little ones.
The Importance of Sharing
Humans constantly share and take turns out of respect and fairness for others. As young children develop, the best way for them to value sharing later in life is through their toys and how they share them. But they must learn this skill during those critical developmental years.
Sharing allows children to create friendships, develop empathy, and understand the concept of being fair. Imagine a world where sharing doesn’t exist. Communities wouldn’t have aid, knowledge would always be secret, and villages and tribes would never progress. When you value sharing, you understand how fundamental it is.
Age-Appropriate Sharing
A core concept to always keep in mind when teaching sharing is the development of your child’s brain. Just as adults have things they won’t necessarily want to share, children will too. Understand the place in their development where certain items will become appropriate to share and others won’t.
How To Teach Taking Turns
When you order toys online, the anticipation has been building for your child. Allowing them the first opportunity to play with it when it arrives is fair, but as the newness begins to fade, consider implementing the art of sharing. If there are no siblings in the home, invite a few friends over for a play date.
The chances that your kid’s friends are into the same thing as yours is high. This is an excellent opportunity for them to learn to share with others.
When you understand the importance of teaching your kids to share their toys, you allow them to build bonds and create an awareness of empathy toward others. As primary caregivers, always remember that it’s a journey with your little ones, and the process can take a long time. Leading by example can further implement these skills throughout life.