Fostering the Art of Sharing through Children's Books
With a drive to make our children responsible and courteous, teaching them the importance of sharing is essential. Unfortunately, getting a child to share their toys, books, or snacks is no small feat. We've all encountered those moments of playground squabbles and fights over a favourite toy. Through the power of reading, you can encourage these essential habits in a fun and engaging manner.
Leverage the Influence of Storytelling
Storytelling has a remarkable influence, making it an effective tool for teaching various life skills. Children become engrossed in the characters and plotlines, often identifying or sympathising with these fictional individuals. By choosing stories which revolve around characters who share, it can demonstrate the act's positivity in terms children understand. Stories have a subtle way of teaching without coming off as preachy or authoritative.
Select the Right Books
There are numerous children's books available that exhibit the importance of sharing. Some superb examples, each packaged with brilliant illustrations and engaging storytelling, include 'The Rainbow Fish' by Marcus Pfister and 'Llama Llama Time to Share' by Anna Dewdney. Books like these can be a fantastic conversation starter about why sharing is critical.
Reinforce the Lessons
While reading these stories, take time to point out when a character is sharing. Also, encourage your child to state their views. Ask them how they would feel in a similar situation. After reading, provide opportunities for your child to practise what they've learned. For instance, if they've just played with a toy, you might encourage them to share it with a sibling or friend.
Repeat and Revisit
Children need repetition to learn. Don’t just read the book once and assume your child will absorb the lesson, revisit these books regularly. The more they hear and see the importance of sharing through the characters, the more likely they are to grasp and apply the concept.
Teaching your child about sharing through reading is a rewarding way of making the concept more relatable to them. Like any other skill, it will take time and patience on your part. Do not be disheartened if your child doesn't immediately pick up on these lessons. The seeds you're planting now will bear fruit in the long run.
Make reading a habit, and use it to teach your child the virtues of sharing and kindness. Remember, it's not only about making them better humans but also shaping a more compassionate world one story at a time.