Someone asked me the other day what ideas I might have to help children learn to share. Well, I do have an idea and it’s called “Musical Sharing.”
When I’m teaching music classes to preschool children, it always comes up that one person wants a drum, or somebody else wants a bell, or somebody else wants a triangle, etc. etc. Frequently I say to the children in a rhyme, “You get what you get and you don’t get upset!” However, there are times when I suggest that they share with their neighbor after each song. Therefore, they know immediately, that as soon as I finish singing one song, they will be passing their instrument on to the next person and sharing. That way, everybody gets the opportunity to try out a different instrument, and each child is not so irritated when he or she doesn’t get the perfect “one” they had hoped for.
This idea can also be used at home with siblings, or in a setting with just a couple of children playing together, such as at a small playgroup. I am a huge fan of having music playing in the background while children play. If two children begin arguing about one particular instrument, suggest the “musical share” game. One child gets to use the toy during one song that is playing in the background, and when the songs change, the toy is passed on to the other child, and back and forth in that way. It can make sharing an enjoyable time, sort of like musical chairs.
One more thought to consider. When choosing the background music for your child’s playtime, choose a variety of different types including classical pieces. It is a fact that playing classical music softly in the background while children are playing, encourages calmer play. I’ve done this many times in preschool settings, and it really does work.
The goal here is to make sharing fun!