by Joan Inong

Created on: September 23, 2009

Among the many morals and values which children must learn, sharing has to be one of the most important ones. A child who learns how to properly share will gain respect later on in life, along with friendships and relationships. Teachers can do their part to help young children learn how to share. The following article sheds light on a few songs and activities that can teach young students how to share.

Songs

If the following songs do not suit your needs, you can easily write your own. The first song is primarily about sharing with siblings, if it applies. The second song is about sharing with everyone.

"We can give and we can take,

But sharing is what we do best,

Brothers and sisters, let's all share,

Brothers and sisters and all the rest."

These four lines can be sung by different groups. For example, you can divide your class into four groups. Have the first group start singing, and once this group begins the second line, the second group should start singing. Continue to do this with the other two groups, until all four groups are singing together. At the same time, encourage the students to clap as they sing.

"Sharing what we have is fun,

Food, fun, and friendships too.

Sharing happiness with everyone

Share with me, I'll share with you."

Your students can sing this song one out of two ways. First, they can follow the instructions above, since this song has four lines just as the previous one has four lines. They can clap to this song while singing, too. Second, your students can hold hands while standing in a large circle. As they sing, they should hold up each other's hands on the first and third lines. They can clap their hands on the second and fourth lines.

Activities

- Divide your students into groups of two. Each pair will be given five items. Ask them to share the items. Note how the students naturally divide the items. Do they divide them equally? How do they resolve the problem of the extra item?

- With your students sitting in their seats, bring an interesting object to class, such as a sand dollar or sea shell. While you talk about the item, give an example of the item to one a student and ask him/her to give it to the person behind him/her, and so on.

Sharing is an important part of life. It is a simple activity that leads to more complex characteristics, such as charity and benevolence.

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