How to Get a Child to Share Using a Chart

Encourage children to share with a chart.

Part of parenting is teaching your child skills, such as sharing, that he will use for the rest of his life. It's frustrating to try to encourage a child to share, whether it is with something substantial such as food or frivolous like toys. Part of teaching a child how to share is understanding the best method that appeals to his personality and age. A chart is a useful tool to teach many concepts, including sharing, because a young child can understand better when he receives rewards for his good behavior.

Things You'll Need

• Poster board
• Marker
• Stickers

Instructions

1. Make an individual sharing chart for each child. Write the child's name across the top of the poster board and list the days in each column. If in an educational setting, write only Monday through Friday.

2. Make a list on the left side of the chart that identifies the items that the child should be sharing. Ideas for items could be specific toys to share with classmates, food during snack time or taking turns using the television.

3. Place a sticker in the box where the day and item intersect with each other whenever the child shares. Allow enough space in the chart to fit multiple stickers in the event that the item needs to be shared multiple times during the day.

4. Create a reward that corresponds to the number of stickers the child earns. At the end of the week if the threshold is met, he will receive something to encourage him to continue to share with others. Depending on the circumstances the reward could be something such as a new toy or additional time with his favorite one.

5. Involve the child in creating the chart and putting the stickers on it when he earns one for sharing. He will be more willing to share and accept the rewards if he actively participates in the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to intervene and aid the child in sharing. It isn't going to be a perfect situation and children, especially toddlers, need reminding and intervention to share at times.

References

• Scholastic: Solving Sharing Issues