Introduction
'It's mine, not yours!' An all-too-common declaration from a young child. And most of the time it may technically be true - but it's not how life works.
Explaining to young children the complex issue of sharing (when they are far from convinced that anyone is going to give their possession back anyway) comes with a number of challenges.
So, how do young children gradually learn that give and take in life is the order of the day? And, how can grown-ups help ease the stress of the 'learning to share' experience?
How CBeebies can help
Learning how to interact and get along with others takes a lifetime. Life tends to have its ups and downs and we all need to learn to cope when things don't quite go our way.
When children are little they believe that life is all about them - that they are the centre of the universe. They aren’t selfish, it's just the way they see the world. It takes time for children to develop emotionally and to take on board other people’s feelings.
Many CBeebies programmes deal with the tricky issue of sharing belongings (and people) in ways that young children can connect with. Try watching CBeebies shows together - ones such as Timmy Time or Everything's Rosie - and use them as a springboards for discussions with your child. You can also watch clips from these shows on the CBeebies website.
Alternatively, why not cuddle up and watch an episode of the Tweenies, where the main characters often play out many of the dilemmas around sharing that young children experience.
How to make a magic moment
The day-to-day hustle and bustle of pre-school living and knowing how to navigate your way through the etiquette around sharing of toys must seem like a mountain to the young child.
Learning to lose one minute and win the next, fail at a task and then get up again and have another go... Us adults need to hand it to the children – they have so much to learn and yet, in their own time, they do learn.
The magic moment around sharing may well come just as you think they will never get the hang of it. But when it happens, a clap of delight or a hug and a big 'well done' will work wonders (and hopefully the act will soon be repeated).
