Are you tired of refereeing battles over toys and wrestling matches over whose turn it is? Teaching your child to share and take turns is vital for social skills.
When children are young, they struggle to understand sharing and taking turns.
Their brains are still developing, and impulsivity often takes over.
As a parent, it’s essential to model good behaviour and teach your child that taking turns is a natural part of social interactions.
Don’t worry; in this article, we’ve got you covered.
Why Sharing Is Caring
Sharing isn’t just about handing over a toy or the TV remote; it’s about empathy, kindness, and understanding. When kids share, they learn to put others first, respect each other’s boundaries, develop bonds and friendships, and, last but not least, manage conflicts.
In essence, these are easy ways to teach your children to share and take turns.
1. Lead By Example (And Fake It Until You Make It!).
Kids mimic our behaviour, so you share and take turns with them (and others!). Share your snacks, offer to help, and demonstrate kindness.
2. Start Small
Starting small is critical when teaching children to share and take turns.
This means beginning with tiny steps rather than expecting them to grasp the concept overnight.
This approach reduces frustration for you and your child, as big expectations can be overwhelming. Starting small builds your child’s confidence through small successes, creating a solid foundation for lasting habits.
To start small, begin with toys or objects your child isn’t too attached to. This makes it easier for them to let go and share.
For example, you might say, “Let’s take turns playing with this toy for two minutes each”, or “Can you share one block with your sibling?”
This way, you can help your child understand the concept of sharing and taking turns in a manageable way.
3. Take Turns, Not Temper Tantrums
Teaching children to take turns is a skill that helps them develop social awareness and self-regulation.
However, it can be challenging, especially when temper tantrums arise.
To promote turn-taking habits healthily, it’s essential to be patient, consistent, and positive reinforcement.
Establish clear rules to encourage turn-taking.
For instance, you can set a timer to signal when it’s time to switch turns or use visual reminders like a “turn-taking chart.”
Praise and reward good behaviour, such as saying, “Great job waiting for your turn!” or “I’m proud of you for sharing!”.
When temper tantrums occur, remain calm. Acknowledge your child’s feelings, e.g., ” You’re upset because you want to play with the toy”.
Then, gently redirect them to the established turn-taking rules. Consistency is key; avoid giving in to tantrums, as this can create unhealthy expectations.
4. Put Yourself In Their Shoes
Consider their feelings and perspectives when teaching children to take turns and share.
Imagine being in your child’s shoes; how would you feel if someone took your favourite toy? What if you had to wait a long time for your turn?
For instance, you might say, “You’re upset because you want to play with that toy,” or “I know it’s hard to wait.”
This method helps the child develop self-awareness, understand others’ perspectives, and build patience and empathy.
To put this into practice, try acknowledging their feelings before going to another child’s turn. Use positive language, such as “Now it’s your brother’s turn. You’ll get it back soon.” You can also encourage kindness and consideration by asking questions like “How do you think your friend felt when you shared?”
This skill will surely benefit your kids in all aspects of life.
5. Praise And Reward (The Good Stuff)
Imagine your child sharing a favourite toy or patiently waiting for their turn. Recognising these moments with praise and rewards motivates them to continue demonstrating kindness and cooperation.
In essence, they acknowledge their actions immediately, connecting the praise with the behaviour. For example, “You’re doing a great job sharing your toys!” or “I appreciate how you waited for your turn.”
Be specific with your praise, highlighting exactly what they did well. This helps them understand what behaviour you value.
Also Read: How To Teach Your Child About Emergency
This approach has numerous benefits, including increased confidence and self-esteem, improved behaviour and habits, a stronger parent-child bond, and encouragement of empathy and kindness.
6. Deal With Conflicts When Teaching, Sharing And Taking Turns.
Conflicts inevitably arise when teaching children to share and take turns.
Therefore, in conclusion, just stay calm. It helps you address the conflict objectively and constructively.
Avoid taking sides or punishing, as this can escalate the situation.
Recognise each child’s emotions and validate their experiences.
Encourage good communication, like: “I want to play with that toy.” “I was playing with it first,” etc.
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