How to Teach Preschoolers About Sharing and Taking Turns

Teaching preschoolers about sharing and taking turns is an essential life skill that helps children build relationships, develop empathy, and navigate social interactions. At this age, preschoolers are learning to manage their emotions and understand the concept of fairness. While it can be challenging for them to grasp the importance of these social rules, with consistent practice and positive reinforcement, they can learn to cooperate with others. By setting clear expectations, using role-playing, and providing opportunities for practice, parents and caregivers can guide children toward becoming more considerate and understanding.
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SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND MODELING BEHAVIOR
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One of the first steps in teaching preschoolers about sharing and taking turns is to set clear expectations. Children need to understand what sharing looks like and why it’s important. Start by explaining the concept in simple terms: “When we share, everyone gets a turn and has fun together.” Demonstrate how to share by modeling the behavior yourself. For example, if you're playing with your child and they want to use a toy, offer to take turns. Show them how you can hand over the toy politely and wait for your turn. Children learn by watching adults, so seeing you model patience, kindness, and fairness teaches them to do the same.
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USE ROLE-PLAYING AND PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
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Role-playing is a great way to teach preschoolers how to share and take turns. By using dolls, toys, or even yourself as a role model, you can create scenarios where sharing is necessary. For example, set up a playtime scene with two dolls who want to play with the same toy and guide them to take turns. You can say, “Now it’s your turn to play with the car, and after a few minutes, we’ll switch.” Role-playing these situations allows children to practice taking turns in a fun and safe environment. As you do this, praise their efforts and encourage them to share with others, reinforcing the idea that sharing leads to positive outcomes.

PRACTICE WITH GROUP ACTIVITIES AND GAMES
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Group activities and games are perfect opportunities for preschoolers to practice sharing and taking turns. Games like building blocks, puzzles, or board games can teach patience and collaboration. For instance, when playing a game with a group of children, make sure everyone has a chance to participate. If there’s a toy or game that everyone wants to play with, set a timer for each child’s turn. This visual cue helps them understand that everyone will get a chance and that their turn will come. Praise the children for waiting and being patient with each other, and celebrate the joy of playing together. Creating a routine where turns are respected helps children learn the concept of fairness in social settings.
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POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT AND PRAISE
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Positive reinforcement is key to encouraging sharing and taking turns. When preschoolers demonstrate good behavior, such as waiting patiently for their turn or offering a toy to a friend, offer specific praise like, “Great job waiting your turn! I love how you shared the truck with your friend!” This not only boosts their confidence but also reinforces the behavior you want to see more of. It’s important to catch children being kind and cooperative, rather than only focusing on moments when they struggle with sharing. The more positive reinforcement they receive, the more likely they are to continue these behaviors.
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EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING
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As part of teaching sharing and taking turns, it’s essential to help preschoolers develop empathy. Encourage them to consider how others might feel when they share or don’t share. For example, you could say, “How do you think your friend feels when you give them a turn with the toy?” This helps children recognize the emotions of others and understand the impact of their actions. When children can empathize with their peers, they are more likely to be considerate and eager to share. You can also model empathy by acknowledging their feelings when they find it difficult to share, saying something like, “I know it’s hard to wait, but you’re doing a great job!”
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CREATING A SHARING-READY ENVIRONMENT
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To make sharing easier for preschoolers, ensure that the play environment is conducive to group play and cooperation. This could mean having enough toys or materials so that children don’t feel possessive over certain items. Organize toys in a way that makes it easy for children to see and access what they need, reducing frustration and competition. When children have enough to play with, they are less likely to argue over sharing. Additionally, encourage open-ended toys that can be used in a variety of ways, allowing more than one child to engage with them at the same time.
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KEY BENEFITS OF TEACHING SHARING AND TAKING TURNS
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• Develops social skills: Children learn how to interact, cooperate, and build friendships.
• Promotes emotional growth: Understanding fairness and empathy helps children navigate their feelings.
• Builds patience and self-control: Sharing teaches children to wait their turn and be patient.
• Encourages problem-solving: Children learn how to negotiate and resolve conflicts.
• Creates a positive social environment: Sharing fosters a cooperative and harmonious atmosphere.

SUMMARY
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Teaching preschoolers about sharing and taking turns is essential for their social and emotional development. Through clear expectations, modeling, role-playing, and positive reinforcement, children can learn to interact with others in a fair and respectful manner. With the right environment and guidance, preschoolers will develop the skills to build meaningful relationships, practice empathy, and enjoy cooperative play. As they learn to share and take turns, they gain valuable life skills that will serve them well in school and beyond.