How to Encourage Young Siblings to Share

By eHow Parenting Editor

Rate: (2 Ratings)

Refereeing in the never-ending game of which toy belongs to whom can lead to premature gray hair. These steps can help you spend more time playing and less time blowing the whistle.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Set aside a specific time when you will interact and play with your children. Young children learn and remember best when a parent works with them directly for consistent periods of time.
Step2
Suggest some toys to play with, and help your children get them out.
Step3
Bring the toys to an open area so you all have room to play.
Step4
Establish a positive and constructive play activity while letting your children remain in control of their play. If you want your children to play with blocks instead of climbing on the furniture, start building a tower.
Step5
Monitor your children and their play. Watch for an older sibling teasing a younger one. Keep mental notes of how long a turn one child takes with a toy other siblings want to play with.
Step6
If one child takes a toy from another, give the upset child a toy the other child likes. If she also tries to take away that toy, tell her she must give one of the two toys to the upset child. Explain that sharing is fair.
Step7
If a child refuses to share toys, place her in a time-out area - a predesignated spot, separate from the play area, where she can be alone, calm down, and get ready to return in a more cooperative mood. She must give the upset child a toy and apologize before returning to play.
Step8
Praise your child for sharing or helping independently. Say things like, 'What a good sharer you are. Nice manners!'
Step9
Follow these steps during playtime and use them during the course of the day to reinforce the skill of sharing.

Tips & Warnings

  • Maintain a calm, neutral tone when explaining how sharing works: 'It is nice manners to share. Look how Tommy gets upset when you take away a toy. Please be nice and share with your brother.'
  • Try to use positive terms by telling your children what you want them to do instead of telling them what you don't want them to do. For example, say 'Please give Tommy a truck to play with' instead of 'Don't take that away!'

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Encourage Young Siblings to Share

eHow Parenting Editor

eHow Parenting Editor

Category: Parenting

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads

Parenting

JudyFord
Meet Judy Ford eHow’s Parenting Expert.