At what age should a child realistically be expected to share?

Answer 1

A lot of parents expect their child to share but do you? It’s hard to share! Would you loan your neighbor your new dress or car? What if you were forced? How would you feel? It's essentially the same thing for children when it comes to their prized possessions. They don't want to share them either! If you force your child to share, it will only cause anger and resentment. Sharing is something that should come from the heart. I teach preschool and in my classroom this is what works. A child can use something for as long as they want. When they put it away another child can use it. The children understand the ways of our classroom and accept this. You can talk to your child in ways so that they can see another child’s point of view. "It looks like Emma really likes your toy. I bet she would like to play with it too. Maybe when you're finished she can play with it." These words may help your child empathize with the other child and they may share. Have your child pick out some things that they are willing to share and put away the things they do not want to share. Remember not to force it. Let it come from the heart. I think for sharing to come from the heart, children need to be able to empathize. Good luck!

Answer 2

At what age would he have acquired something to share? Would it be something he earned and what would be the reason he should share it?

Sharing is not necessarily a good thing and forced sharing is a fundamental principle of Socialism. I would make sure he doesn't grow up to think that he always has to give his "fair share" in the instances that it's a guilt trip laid upon people by slick poltiticians. There are, however, a lot of other good qualities a child can learn at a young age and I'm not saying that there isn't a proper time to share.

I really think I would delay teaching the correct principles of sharing until he's a bit older; otherwise it could be beyond his comprehension. A child can't learn about unselfishness too soon - it's just not natural.

Answer 3

Our daughter is only 14 months, and we've already started doing this with her. I also watch a little girl in my home who is 2, so I can't tell her to share w/ my daughter if I'm not teaching it to both of them. Trust me, kids understand waaaay more than we think. I've even taught my child to throw away trash (nothing filthy), pick up her toys, and bring me things when I ask. This is teaching her to not only be responsible, but you should see the look on her face when she does a task, and I clap and say "yaaaaay, thank you!" She is so proud. So my answer is: As soon as you can teach them.

Answer 4

I teach Preschool and my students are 3 and 4 years old. Because they see adults around them modeling sharing behavior, most of them do this willingly. A few still need to work on it, but it seems pretty common at this age.

Answer 5

For a girl 5 or 6 for a guy 35.

Answer 6

girls are easier because you can reason with them. a girl should share by 4 (depending on the amount of sibs) i have a lot of lil sibs the next one after me (im the oldest) is only a year younger so we had to share very early so we could play games. if its an only girl pry when she starts school

boys: good luck lol!

Answer 7

age three...Im not saying that they will do so gracefully but by age three they are old enough to understand the concept...Before then they should be taught to share but not necessarily punished (time out) for not sharing.

Answer 8

Share foods? toys? parents? It you are talking about toys as early as possible, except the item (toy or blanket, etc) that gives a kid security (security blanket"!!)

Answer 9

around 3-5 good luck