Teach Kids More About Sharing and the Value of Kindness

Kindness Begins at Home

Teaching kids how to share starts with what they see at home. If you have more than one child, you already know how important it is to instill sharing and kindness early. It’s more than just playing nicely—sharing helps develop empathy, patience, and peaceful social interactions.

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.”
—Ruth Reichl

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.”
—Brian Tracy

Encouraging acts of kindness and generosity creates a ripple effect of love and compassion that your child will carry into every relationship.

Teach the Concept Early

Most children don’t fully grasp the concept of possession or fairness until around age 3—but that doesn’t mean you should wait. Even toddlers can start learning the foundations of sharing through gentle guidance.

Instead of scolding, model the behavior you want to see. Explain why it’s unfair if they hoard all the toys while others have none. As they grow, prompt simple acts of giving, but let them work through conflicts rather than solving everything for them.

“The more he gave away, the more delighted he became.” —The Rainbow Fish
This beautifully illustrates how generosity makes us happier and more beautiful—inside and out.

Praise, Guide, and Inspire

When your child starts sharing with others, praise the action. Some parents even “voice” the toy:

“Thank you for letting me play too!”
This lighthearted technique helps children develop emotional intelligence and compassion.

Teaching kids to share isn’t just about toys. Show them everyday examples—like someone feeding birds in the park, or donating clothes—so they learn that giving is a way of life.

Use Stories and Role Models

Children learn best by example. Use books, stories, and quotes to spark conversations about kindness.

“Practice sharing the fullness of your being—your best self, your enthusiasm, your spirit, your openness, your presence. Share it with your family, with the world.”
—Jon Kabat-Zinn

Remind your children that kindness isn’t just about giving things—it’s about giving love, time, patience, and understanding.

Teach Taking Turns and Fairness

If your children often argue over the same toy, teach them about taking turns. Let them see that fairness doesn’t mean giving up—it means everyone gets a chance.

Introduce age-appropriate lessons about:

• Respecting others’ belongings

• Waiting patiently

• Celebrating someone else’s joy

The sooner kids learn these lessons, the better they’ll interact with others—and the more confident, kind, and compassionate they’ll become.