Learning to Share

Overview

This 20-minute session explores the important value of sharing with Reception pupils (ages 4-5) through engaging, age-appropriate activities. The lesson supports pupils’ personal, social, and emotional development as outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on the specific goals of self-regulation, building relationships, and managing feelings and behaviour.

Curriculum Links

• EYFS Statutory Framework (2021) - Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED):

  • Self-regulation: Show an understanding about sharing and taking turns.
  • Managing Self and Building Relationships: Work and play cooperatively and take turns with others.

• PSHE Association Early Years Programme of Study:

  • Understand the importance of sharing and kindness.
  • Develop skills for empathy and consideration of others.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, all pupils will be able to:

• Recognise what sharing means and why it is important.
• Demonstrate taking turns and sharing in a simple practical activity.
• Express feelings about sharing with peers.

Resources Needed

• A soft toy or puppet for storytelling.
• Real objects for sharing (e.g., a box of crayons or small toys).
• A sharing storybook (e.g., a short picture book illustrating sharing).
• "Sharing Jar" (a decorated jar with small paper hearts or stars).
• Visual cue cards illustrating sharing, taking turns, and happy faces.

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Gather children in a circle on the carpet.
• Use the puppet to introduce the topic: The puppet explains that sometimes it finds it hard to share toys but wants to learn.
• Show a picture book or short story about sharing, narrating slowly and using expressive voice.
• Ask simple questions: "What does it mean to share?", "Can you share with your friends?"

2. Main Activity: Sharing Game (10 minutes)

• Explain the sharing game: Each child will have a turn to share one crayon or toy from the box with a friend.
• Model sharing clearly using puppet and visual cues, saying “I’m sharing this with you because it’s kind.”
• Children take turns picking an item and sharing it with another child.
• As each child shares, encourage them to say: “Would you like to play with this?”
• After each turn, children place a paper heart/star into the Sharing Jar as a symbol of kindness.
• Use positive reinforcement and praise for sharing behaviour: “Well done for sharing!”

3. Reflection & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Sit back in circle and hold the Sharing Jar.
• Invite children to talk or show their feelings about sharing today.
• Use feeling cards to support children to express emotions like happy, proud, or even shy.
• Recap why sharing is good and remind them sharing helps everyone have fun.
• End with a friendly chant or song about sharing: “Sharing is caring, sharing is fun, I love to share with everyone!”

Assessment & Differentiation

• Assessment: Observe children during the sharing activity, noting their ability to take turns and express feelings. Use a simple checklist for participation and sharing behaviours.
• Differentiation:
  • For children who find sharing difficult, allocate a buddy for support.
  • Use extra visual prompts or gestures.
  • Provide additional encouragement or short breaks if needed.

Cross-Curricular Extensions

• Communication and Language: Encourage new vocabulary such as “share,” “kind,” “turn,” “please,” and “thank you.”
• Expressive Arts and Design: Children can create their own “sharing star” badges to wear the next day.
• Maths/Understanding the World: Introduce concepts of ‘half’ and ‘whole’ using sharing toys or food props.

Teacher Tips

• Use puppetry and storytelling to contextualise sharing in a fun, relatable way.
• Reinforce the learning all day by praising sharing moments during free play.
• Incorporate visual supports consistently to aid understanding, especially for children with additional needs.
• Keep tone warm and encouraging; celebrate even small efforts at sharing.

This highly interactive, sensory-rich lesson aligns closely with UK early years standards and fosters positive social skills from an early age. Your Reception class will gain not only the concept but meaningful hands-on experience of sharing which is foundational to their enduring social development.