Are you looking for hacks for teaching kids to share with others? If so, keep reading.
1. Do not Let the student bring things to school that they are not willing to share (e.g., games, toys, etc.).
2. Make sure the student is not expected to share everything (e.g., do not punish the student for not sharing a hat, gloves, personal things, etc.). Everyone has things they would prefer not to share with others.
3. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for sharing at school.
4. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., sharing) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.
5. Praise those students in the classroom who share.
6. Talk with the student to explain(a) what the student is doing wrong (e.g., failing to give classmates chances to use things) and (b) what the student should be doing (e.g., sharing learning materials).
7. Give the student enough learning materials to satisfy immediate needs (e.g., one of everything). As the student shows success, slowly lessen the number of learning materials, and require the student to share the available learning materials
8. Make sure that shared learning materials are returned to the student so they will create a positive concept of sharing.
9. Learners who cannot share with one another because of their personal dislike for each other should not be placed in the same group when sharing is required. If a student prefers not to share with one specific person, it does not mean that they do not have the capacity and ability to share.
10. Give the student many experiences to share with others and have learning materials returned. On occasions where the student learns that shared learning materials will be returned, the student will be more likely to share in the future.
11. Make sure the student knows that if shared learning materials are used up, worn out, broken under normal use, etc., they will be replaced.
12. In group situations, give the student appropriate learning materials for the learning experience so sharing problems do not disrupt the learning experience.
13. Do not expect the student to share all learning materials. Learners need to “own” some learning materials (e.g., jewelry, clothing, etc.).
14. Provide a realistic level of expectation for sharing school learning materials based on the student’s age level and capacity and ability to share.
15. Praise the student for sharing: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
16. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
17. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
18. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.
19. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
