How to Teach Young Children About Sharing and Taking Turns
Sharing and taking turns are essential social skills that help children develop patience, cooperation, and empathy. Learning these skills at an early age fosters positive relationships, reduces conflicts, and prepares children for group interactions at school and beyond. Parents can teach sharing and turn-taking through role-modeling, structured activities, and daily practice. In this article, we’ll explore effective ways to encourage these behaviors at home.
Why Teaching Sharing and Taking Turns is Important
- Encourages cooperation – Helps children play and work together harmoniously.
- Develops patience and self-control – Teaches kids to wait for their turn.
- Builds empathy – Helps children understand how others feel when they share.
- Reduces conflicts – Encourages peaceful problem-solving.
- Prepares for school and social settings – Teaches essential group interaction skills.
1. Model Sharing and Taking Turns
Children learn by observing how adults share and take turns in everyday life.
Activity Idea:
- Share food, household items, or toys and say, “I love sharing with you!”
- Take turns choosing a bedtime story or a family game.
- Show patience when waiting in line and say, “Waiting is hard, but it’s fair for everyone.”
What Kids Learn:
- That sharing is a normal and positive behavior
- The importance of fairness and waiting their turn
- How to model kindness in daily life
2. Use Playtime to Practice Sharing
Toys and games are great tools for teaching cooperative play and turn-taking.
Activity Idea:
- Encourage building a block tower together, where each child adds a piece.
- Play board games that require turn-taking, like “Candy Land” or “Memory Match.”
- Use a sharing timer where one child plays with a toy for a few minutes before passing it to another.
What Kids Learn:
- The importance of fairness in play
- How to be patient and take turns
- The benefits of working together
3. Read Stories About Sharing and Cooperation
Books help children see the value of sharing through engaging stories.
Activity Idea:
- Read books like Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney or The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.
- Ask questions like, “How do you think the character felt when they shared?”
- Discuss how sharing made the story’s characters happier.
What Kids Learn:
- The emotional benefits of sharing
- How kindness creates positive friendships
- How to apply the story’s lesson in real life
4. Role-Play Social Scenarios
Practicing different situations helps children prepare for real-life sharing moments.
Activity Idea:
- Pretend one child wants a toy that another is using and discuss fair ways to share.
- Act out a situation where siblings both want the same item and find a compromise.
- Teach phrases like, “Can I have a turn when you’re done?” or “Let’s use it together!”
What Kids Learn:
- How to handle sharing conflicts peacefully
- The importance of communication in problem-solving
- The value of asking politely instead of grabbing
5. Praise and Reinforce Sharing Behaviors
Encouraging and acknowledging acts of sharing makes children more likely to repeat them.
Activity Idea:
- Say, “I love how you shared your toy with your friend—that was so kind!”
- Use a sticker chart to track and reward acts of sharing.
- Ask, “How did it feel when you shared?” to encourage self-reflection.
What Kids Learn:
- That sharing is appreciated and valued
- How kindness makes them and others feel good
- Motivation to continue sharing and cooperating
6. Teach the Concept of “Taking Turns” in Everyday Activities
Turn-taking is a form of sharing that applies to many daily situations.
Activity Idea:
- Practice taking turns talking during family conversations.
- Use a kitchen timer when siblings want to play with the same toy.
- Play a game where everyone takes turns adding an ingredient while baking together.
What Kids Learn:
- Patience while waiting for their turn
- The importance of fairness in group settings
- How turn-taking leads to enjoyable interactions
7. Encourage Teamwork Through Group Activities
Collaborative tasks help children see that sharing and turn-taking lead to success.
Activity Idea:
- Work together to paint a picture, with each child adding a section.
- Assign small household tasks, like setting the table or feeding a pet, where kids take turns.
- Have a “clean-up race”, where each child picks up five toys and passes the task to the next.
What Kids Learn:
- The value of working together
- That sharing responsibilities makes tasks easier
- How cooperation leads to success
8. Be Patient and Consistent
Children need time and practice to fully develop sharing and turn-taking skills.
Activity Idea:
- If a child struggles to share, gently remind them: “Remember, sharing makes playtime more fun!”
- Encourage trying again if sharing doesn’t go well the first time.
- Keep reinforcing the lesson daily with small sharing opportunities.
What Kids Learn:
- That sharing is a skill they can improve over time
- How to be patient with themselves and others
- That learning kindness is a gradual process
Final Thoughts
Teaching young children about sharing and taking turns helps them build positive social skills, develop patience, and form stronger relationships. By modeling generosity, encouraging cooperative play, and reinforcing kind behaviors, parents can create an environment where sharing becomes a natural and enjoyable habit.