“It’s mine!” “No, it’s mine!” Sound familiar? Sharing can be one of the toughest things to teach children. But with a little patience and some of the methods we’ve used to teach Shamu to share, you can find success!

Reduce conflict

During playtime, try giving each child the same type of toy so there’s less competition. After awhile, encourage a toy exchange. This is a great way to show that sharing doesn’t have to mean giving something up.

Find role models

Kids learn from their peers. So try finding a child who knows how to share, then see if his parents will share him for a play date! Also, you can model sharing. Whether it’s a small treasure from your purse --- or your lap, let your child know what’s yours can also be his.

Reward every step

If you reward your child for small steps, he’ll realize sharing brings good things. So ask him to just let you hold his toy for a few seconds. Or try a sharing game with dolls. And every time he takes a step toward sharing, give him a hug or special treat.

Stay positive

Your child may do a great job sharing one day. And the next it seems to have gone out the window. But keep a smile on your face and remind him that when he shares, good things happen!

Someday, those shouts of “mine!” will be a distant memory. But the road to that time isn’t always easy. Just take it slowly and let your child know you appreciate every effort. It’s the best way we know to build a positive relationship between your kids and good behavior.