“To share often and much; to leave this world a little better; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. That is to have succeeded.”

                                           ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tactics:
This lesson starts with a child’s first play date. They will need to learn to share their fun toys with a friend who is coming over. Talk to them about sharing before the play date. Remind them that they want their friend to have a wonderful time, so they will want to come over again & again. Ask them if there friend would have a good time if he or she didn’t share there games & toys. Ask them if it would be fun to go to his/her friend’s house and NOT be able to use his/her friend’s toys.

Get involved in a “Family Charity”. Have the child partake in getting unneeded clothing & toys to that charity. Let your child know what their donation will do for a less fortune child. One, you teach then the joy of giving and you also let them know how fortunate in life they are compared to so many in this world.

Dr Alan Greene says children come with a powerful sense of “WANT” and “MINE”. Consequently, you will need to apply three important rules of sharing in your home.

1. If you want to use something that does not belong to you, you must ask first.
2. When someone asks to use your things, you can’t simply say “no”.
3. Remember the Golden Rule; Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Explain to your child about “taking turns”. Sharing is far more palatable if they know eventually they will have his/her turn. Praise your child when you witness sharing or taking turns to be thoughtful to others. Your child loves to please you and he/she is likely to repeat those actions that earn positive feedback. Keep a chart (with fun stickers/stars) of the” kind acts” your child exhibits each day and week.