Teaching children how to share is a long and difficult process, but you can help them to understand the importance of sharing with the best books for teaching to share, (and your child will love to read these books!)
Sharing may be fundamental to co-operative play especially in early friendships and between siblings, but it's a notoriously tricky concept to explain. Understandably, for many toddlers giving up a preferred toy feels can feel unfair too.
Our Favourite books for teaching to share at a glance:
• Our favourite overall books for teaching to share: Llama Llama Time to Share
• Our favourite easy read books for teaching to share: I Can Share
• Our favourite teamwork book for teaching to share: It's Mine
One of the best ways to promote sharing is through leading by example, (which you probably do a lot, especially with snacks!) and picture books. Books are a great way of showing your children situations on sharing, as they get to see what happens when someone does or doesn't share.
Best overall book for teaching to share
In this story Llama gets stressed when Nelly Gnu comes over and wants Llama's treasured Stuffie. Peace is restored via a pretend cake, and Llama is ultimately converted to sharing. Children seem to love the Llama Llama Time to Share.
One review said: "Fab book, they should have them more widely available in the UK I think. Currently my toddlers favourite story and teaches her to share too. Nice rhymes to read aloud and good length (not too long) for bedtime."
2.
I Can Share
Best books for teaching to share with simple message
This simple yet effective book easily explains the importance of sharing. I Can Share highlights every sibling problem when it comes to sharing!
One review said: "Great visuals. A warming story. A great picture of a father explaining better actions in a way children understand. Fun rhymes and a cute story. Perfect length for a bedtime store for a 5 year old."
3.
It's Mine!
Best teamwork books for teaching to share
Recommended
This is the classic picture book on the importance of sharing-about three little frogs who must learn to work together in the pond. As always, Leo Lionni's winning illustrations in It's Mine! convey their moral with no compromise on charm.
One review said: "A fantastically illustrated story about bickering and selfishness which are turned around. Small children will enjoy the text and the pictures. Skilful adult questioning will point children in the direction of the messages about co-operation. Read the other brilliant stories by this author."
Best behaviour books for teaching to share
If your child responds better to literal messages about good behaviour than fables, this could be the book for you. Emily's Caring and Sharing Book is clear, but gentle and it also comes with helpful tips for parents on encouraging good manners.
One review said: "This is a sweet book with a great message. My grand daughter loved the story! She needed to see that others consider sharing important not just Grandma and Mommy!"
Best conflict books for teaching to share
A funny tale of failing to share, Kang's award winning visuals in That's (Not) Mine are guaranteed to spark giggles as well as conversations about what it means to be a good friend.
One review said: "We've all heard children fight over who had something first. This book has two friends fighting over a chair they both feel is theirs. They try to outwit each other to regain control of it until they finally realize it isn't worth fighting about. I love the ending! A great book for resolving this issue between siblings or classmates."
Best rhyming books for teaching to share
Two squirrels, Bruce and Cyril, both want the last pinecone in the forest. Racing to get it first they almost meet a sticky end, before finally learning to co-operate. Better for slightly older children, The Squirrels Who Squabbled has a catchy rhyming text.
One review said: "An ease to read. A funny tale of two squirrels with a great rhyming rhythm."
Best books for teaching to share referencing greed
Rabbit is a greedy carrot hoarder, to the point that his haul threatens to take over his house. Will he ever learn to share? Too Many Carrots is a great read and like many pre-schoolers, your child will probably engage more readily with books about animals than with literal representations of children.
One review said: "Bought this book to share with my little ones over Easter. A lovely story about sharing and friends"
Best books for teaching to share with decision making
A familiar toddler dilemma (should you share your ice cream) played out in Mo Willem's much loved Gerald and Piggie series. Should I Share My Ice Cream One is about making decisions and the thought process in those decisions.
One review said: "This story was recommended as an illustration for a children's sermon. I'd not heard of the series but was very pleased with the book as a whole, the way the pages were set out and especially the content. What a find I shall be looking out for other titles in the series. The children participated in the following discussion and even the adults enjoyed it. Great find!"
How important is sharing?
Sharing is an incredibly important life skill that your little one will learn. Not only will it help in making friends and social situations, but it also goes well with team building and teaching children how to work together.
Learning how to share doesn't happen over night though, so it's important to be patient with your little one and gently guide them in situations that involve sharing.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.