If you have a preschooler, chances are you’ve heard this battle cry more times than you can count. Sharing is hard for little ones, because, let’s face it, in their world, everything is MINE. But what if I told you that teaching your child to share doesn’t have to involve tears, bribery, or hiding in the bathroom until the tantrum storm passes?
Yes, mama, there is a better way! Here are nine sneaky, fun, and actually effective ways to teach your little tornado, I mean, angel, to share without forcing it.
1. Make Sharing a Game
Kids love games, so why not turn sharing into one? Try the “Pass the Treasure” game: Give your child a favorite toy and set a timer for 10 seconds. When the buzzer goes off, they have to pass it to you or a sibling. Praise them like they just won an Olympic gold medal!
Bonus: It teaches turn-taking without the pressure of permanent loss.
2. Use the Magic of Timer Negotiation
If “Mine! Mine! Mine!” is the household anthem, get a simple visual timer (like the Time Timer). Let each child have a set amount of time before they must pass the toy. This gives them control over their play while making sharing feel fair.
3. Role-Playing with Stuffed Animals
Preschoolers love acting out stories! Grab their favorite stuffed animals and create a scene where Teddy doesn’t want to share with Bunny. Show how Bunny feels sad but gets happy when Teddy decides to share. Make the ending extra dramatic, they love it!
4. Praise Every Tiny Sharing Moment
The first time your child hands over a crayon without an FBI negotiation, throw a parade! Okay, maybe not literally, but make a big deal out of it: “Wow! You just shared your red crayon! That was so kind of you!”
Positive reinforcement works wonders (and sometimes, even better than bribery, sometimes).
5. Introduce a “Special Sharing Toy”
Here’s a game-changer: Buy a special toy (maybe a cool puzzle, a giant coloring book, or a play kitchen set) and tell your child it’s only for playing together with others. This teaches them that sharing makes playtime more fun, rather than feeling like they’re losing something.
6. Read Books About Sharing
If Peppa Pig or Bluey says sharing is cool, your child is way more likely to believe it. Some awesome books to help?
- “Llama Llama Time to Share” by Anna Dewdney
- “The Mine-O-Saur” by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
- “Should I Share My Ice Cream?” by Mo Willems
Books make lessons stick (and also double as a sneaky way to get five minutes of peace).
7. Let Them “Own” the Sharing
Giving kids a sense of control over sharing makes them want to do it. Instead of demanding, “Share your toy now,” try: “Do you want to let your friend play with the truck first, or do you want to start and switch in five minutes?”
See what we did there? Sharing is happening either way, but they feel like they’re in charge.
8. Teach the “Trade Trick”
For kids who cling to their toys like Gollum and the One Ring, swapping can be a lifesaver. Encourage trading instead of straight-up sharing: “Hey, you can play with Lily’s doll if she gets to use your race car!” It shifts the focus from loss to gain.
9. Use the “Mommy’s Secret Weapon” – The Sharing Jar
This is where we get a little sneaky-smart. Grab a jar and some pom-poms or stickers. Every time your child shares nicely, let them drop one in. When the jar is full, they get a fun reward (NOT a bribe, okay? We’re calling it positive reinforcement ).
It teaches delayed gratification, makes sharing feel rewarding, and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
Ready to Ditch the Sharing Struggles?
No more forcing, begging, or pleading, just simple, fun, and stress-free ways to teach your little one to share (without breaking a sweat).
Which of these tips are you excited to try first? And if you’re still battling over who gets the blue cup every morning, just remember, you’re not alone. Solidarity, mama!
P.S. If you want to grab the game-changing visual timer I mentioned earlier, check it out here. Seriously, it’s a lifesaver.
Got any fun sharing hacks of your own? Drop them in the comments, I’d love to hear!