Sharing is one of the first social skills children begin to develop, but it’s also one of the hardest. If you’ve ever watched two toddlers both decide they absolutely must have the same toy at the exact same moment, you’ll know that learning to share doesn’t happen overnight! The good news is that sharing is a skill that can be nurtured through patience, gentle guidance and plenty of opportunities to practise. At St. John’s Nursery Group, we help children build confidence, develop friendships and learn important social skills that prepare them for school and beyond.
Why is Sharing So Difficult for Young Children?
For babies, toddlers and children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the world naturally revolves around their own experiences. Young children are still developing empathy, self-control and an understanding of other people’s feelings.
It’s completely normal for toddlers to say “mine!” or become upset when asked to give up a favourite toy. These moments aren’t signs of poor behaviour. They’re part of normal child development. As children’s language, emotional understanding and social skills grow, they gradually become better at taking turns, cooperating and sharing with others.
Practical Ways to Encourage Sharing at Home
Be a Role Model
Children learn by watching the adults around them. Show them what sharing looks like in everyday life by sharing snacks, taking turns with games or talking about why you’re helping someone else.
For example:
- “I’m sharing my biscuits with you because it’s nice to enjoy them together.”
- “Let’s take turns choosing which book we read.”
Practise Taking Turns
For younger children, taking turns is often easier to understand than sharing. Board games, rolling a ball, building towers together or even taking turns stirring cake mixture all help children learn patience and cooperation.
Praise Positive Behaviour
When your child shares, even for a short moment, acknowledge it.
Try saying:
- “That was very kind of you to let your friend have a turn.”
- “I noticed you shared your crayons. That helped everyone enjoy drawing.”
Specific praise helps children understand exactly what they’ve done well.
Avoid Forcing Sharing
If a child is deeply attached to a particular toy, forcing them to hand it over can sometimes create anxiety rather than encourage generosity.
Instead, encourage phrases like:
- “You can have a turn when I’ve finished.”
- “Let’s find another toy while we wait.”
This teaches children that everyone gets a chance without feeling that their belongings are being taken away.
Read Stories About Friendship and Kindness
Books are a fantastic way to explore emotions and social situations. Stories about friendship, taking turns and helping others allow children to discuss sharing in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Learning Through Play
Play is one of the most powerful ways children develop social skills.
Activities such as:
- Building with blocks together
- Role play and imaginative games
- Creative arts and crafts
- Outdoor games
- Small group activities
all encourage communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
These experiences help children discover that playing together can be even more enjoyable than playing alone.
How Nurseries Help Children Learn to Share
At nursery, children have daily opportunities to interact with their peers in a safe, supportive environment.
Our experienced practitioners gently guide children through everyday situations, helping them to:
- Build friendships
- Develop empathy
- Take turns confidently
- Solve small disagreements calmly
- Understand other people’s feelings
- Grow in confidence and independence
Rather than expecting children to share perfectly, we recognise that every child develops at their own pace. We celebrate small successes and provide consistent support as they build these important life skills.
Preparing Children for School
Learning to share is about much more than toys. By developing cooperation, communication and emotional resilience, children become better prepared for the routines and social experiences they’ll encounter when they start school. These early social skills help children feel more confident, make friends more easily and enjoy learning alongside others.
Discover the St. John’s Nursery Group Difference
At St. John’s Nursery Group, we’re passionate about helping every child thrive. Through play-based learning, nurturing relationships and experienced early years practitioners, we support children in developing the confidence, independence and social skills they need for a happy start at school.
If you’re looking for a caring nursery where your child can grow, learn and flourish, we’d love to welcome you. Book a visit today to explore our nurturing environment, meet our friendly team and see how we can help your child become school-ready with confidence.
