5 Simple & Fun Sharing Activities For Kids
Do you need to teach kids how to share? It can be a tough lesson, but here are some activities that can help you teach this very important skill.
My kids love each other very much, but that doesn’t mean that their sharing game is on point every single day. When it comes to working together, I’d say they’re PRETTY GOOD, but since things aren’t perfect (well not that they will ever be) I have tried to play some sharing games at home with the kids.
These are simple activities that are fun, and they teach lessons!
I have ALWAYS found that the best way to teach my kids important stuff is through play.
Learning through play is a hands on way to teach kids, it’s like learning by doing instead of reading about it. Some people ONLY learn by doing – like my husband. He can’t learn much from a book, it doesn’t click!
So, what are some of these fun sharing games? I’m not keeping it a secret, let’s go!
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The Importance of Sharing for Kids’ Development
Sharing is an essential social skill that plays a significant role in children’s development. It gradually develops over time, starting from a young age. By the time children reach 2 years old, they can comprehend the concept of sharing, but it takes several more years before they fully engage in sharing behavior.
By the age of 5 or 6, most children have developed a strong sense of empathy, which enables them to understand the perspectives of others better. This increased understanding makes sharing easier and more natural for them. Sharing goes hand in hand with social development and contributes to the growth of other essential skills, such as cooperation, communication, problem-solving, and gratitude.
Through sharing, children learn to consider the needs of others, work together towards common goals, express their own needs, and appreciate what they have. Letting go of their possessions and belongings teaches them the importance of empathy and cooperation, building a foundation for healthy social interactions.
Teaching Sharing Skills to Kids
When it comes to teaching sharing skills to kids, it’s important to approach it in a way that encourages positive behavior rather than forcing it. Modeling the behavior yourself and exploring the impact of sharing on others can be highly effective in teaching kids the value of sharing. By demonstrating sharing behaviors and explaining how it makes others feel good, children can better understand the benefits of reciprocal social interaction.
“Modeling the behavior yourself and explaining the positive impact of sharing can be highly effective.
Teaching Sharing Skills to Kids | Strategies |
---|---|
1 | Modeling sharing behavior |
2 | Praising sharing behaviors |
3 | Creating opportunities to practice sharing |
Fun Games and Activities to Teach Sharing
Art
Ok i know it’s not actually an activity, but doing art together – LITERALLY ANY ART – is a great sharing activity. If you place all of the tools in the middle of the table, as the children work n their projects they have to take turns using the materials!
There may only be one blue crayon, and if 2 kids want to use it, they can learn about taking turns.
I’m not one of those crafty moms that has the ideas on making a penguin with a paper plate, but I do have general art materials at home and I let the kids make what they like.
YEP. I just put out the water colors, or the crayons, or the scratch pads, and I let the kids make their own thing. sure, I’ll give them ideas on what they can create if they need some, but I’m not leading an art activity – unless it’s Easter or Christmas!
Imagination Games
Have you ever seen your little one put on a towel and pretend it’s a cape? That is an imagination game. While there are SO many imagination games your kiddo can play with their sibling, the most important thing is that you watch how nicely they play amongst themselves.
Having a tea party with siblings and stuffed animals is a really great way to learn cooperation – don’t you agree?
Sharing Circles
This is a great activity if you want to teach your kids how to share – and your kids can learn stuff about each other as well!
Organize a sharing circle where children take turns sharing something they have brought from home, such as a favorite toy, book, or snack.
Emphasize the importance of listening to others and taking turns speaking, while also encouraging children to share their belongings with their peers during the activity.
Family Cooking
Do you ever cook together as a family? It’s one of my favorite things actually, and I involve my kids in our dinner preparation almost daily. My oldest son loves to cut potatoes and my smallest kiddo loves to stir. My middle son likes to lick the spoon!
Assign different tasks to each child and emphasize the importance of sharing ingredients and utensils. Cooking together not only teaches sharing but also promotes teamwork and cooperation in achieving a common goal.
Playing Music
My kids have a lot of musical instruments like a piano, drums, recorders and more! But if your kids don’t have fancy musical tools, that’s ok too! You can always make some instruments, or use Tupperware as drums and spatulas as drum sticks. All good!
rrange a music jam session where children can experiment with different musical instruments or household items as makeshift instruments.
Encourage them to take turns playing different roles, such as drumming, singing, or playing melodies on instruments.
This activity promotes sharing both musical resources and creative expression among children.
Conclusion
Fun sharing activities are an integral part of teaching children the valuable skill of sharing. Through these activities, children not only develop important social skills but also cultivate qualities such as empathy, cooperation, communication, and problem-solving. The benefits of sharing extend beyond personal growth, contributing to improved well-being, strengthened relationships, increased cooperation, and nurtured creativity.
Integrating sharing activities into educational settings can have a profound impact on children’s social development. By promoting a spirit of sharing, we create an inclusive and cooperative environment where children can thrive. Through teaching sharing skills, we equip children with the tools they need to become empathetic and considerate individuals who appreciate the value of collaboration and joy.
By engaging in fun sharing activities, children discover the power of sharing and learn how it positively impacts both themselves and those around them. These activities not only teach the importance of sharing but also facilitate the development of essential social and emotional skills that will benefit children throughout their lives. So, let’s encourage our children to share, learn, and grow together through these enjoyable and meaningful experiences.
FAQ
What are the benefits of teaching kids sharing skills?
Teaching kids sharing skills helps foster positive relationships, build connections, and participate in their communities. It also promotes empathy, cooperation, communication, problem-solving, and gratitude.
At what age do children start understanding the concept of sharing?
Children as young as two years old can understand the concept of sharing, but it takes several more years before they fully grasp and engage in sharing behavior. By the age of 5 or 6, most children have developed a strong sense of empathy and are better able to understand the perspectives of others.
How can I teach my child to share without forcing them?
It is important not to force children to share but to model the behavior and explore how sharing makes others feel and how it benefits reciprocal social interaction. Being a role model by demonstrating sharing behaviors yourself is one of the best ways to teach kids how to share. Praise sharing behaviors when you spot them to reinforce the desired behavior.
What are some fun games and activities to teach sharing?
Some fun games and activities to teach sharing include cooperative drawing, where children take turns coloring a drawing; potato head, where they take turns creating a funny potato character; and building a tower, where they share resources and work together towards a common goal. Role-playing sharing scenarios and pass the pen or pass the paper games are also effective.
How can sharing activities be incorporated into an educational setting?
Sharing activities can be incorporated into an educational setting by engaging children in sharing during recess, setting up a craft exchange station with limited materials, and using show and tell as a platform for sharing artistic creations. Exploring family traditions, creating a class book, book swapping, collaborative storytelling, and working with communal supplies are other ways to promote sharing and cooperation in the classroom.