If you don’t teach your child to share at home, don’t expect them to learn it elsewhere. Teaching kids to share with others may be the most important lesson of all time. Loretta Umutesi, a mother of three girls argues that all kids are born with an innate sense of charity and compassion, but it’s up to the parent to nurture it. “Yes children do cry a lot and call everything theirs. They always want the best toys, tastiest treats, and fanciest clothes. But if you have noticed, a two-year-old would be bothered by a baby crying and offer a comforting toy,” she says. “Children naturally look for ways to make a contribution and help others,” says Deborah Spaide, founder of Kids Care Clubs, a national organisation based in New Canaan, CT, that provides information on community-service projects for youngsters. “But just as we give our children opportunities to use their legs when they’re learning to walk, we need to give them opportunities to exercise their charitable muscles so they become really good at giving too.” Clarrise Musasizi, worked at the day care centre at Green Hills Academy during her senior six vacation. She confirmed that children that are taught to give right from home usually have a powerful boost in self-esteem to realise they can make a difference. “Most of these students are the ones that develop characters of leadership at a tender age. Many other children depend on them for help and growing up with this character helps them develop many other skills,” she explains. Musasizi adds that children who aren’t taught to share usually have complications with living with other children and end up being sad and angry all the time. Even though you are good with teaching your children all this, don’t forget one thing - kids learn by imitating what they see. So take every opportunity to show your child how to share. Offer him a bite of your meal. As you do, use the word “share” to describe your behaviour, like “I’m eating a really good sandwich, and I’d love to share it with you. Would you like some?” When your toddler attempts to share, praise his efforts. Little by little, he’ll drink in the positive reinforcement and feel good about repeating those actions that seem to make you so happy.
