How to help children overcome selfishness

It is normal for children to show selfish behaviors in childhood. The little ones usually want to satisfy their desires and needs without taking into account others. Although selfishness is part of the normal course of child development, from early stages adults can begin to favor cooperative and pr

It is normal for children to show selfish behaviors in childhood. The little ones usually want to satisfy their desires and needs without taking into account others.

Although selfishness is part of the normal course of child development, from early stages adults can begin to favor cooperative and prosocial behaviors with others.

How to educate children so they are not selfish

- Adults should serve as a model. We must show children that sharing with others enriches us que and that we enjoy it. - We can list with them the advantages of sharing with others, without forgetting in the list the fact that if we share, we will have more chances that others also share with us.

- Before the age of three, children do not have the capacity to understand the concept of sharing, so there is no sense in forcing them to do so. However, we should encourage cooperative games as much as possible and reinforce (for example, with a compliment or smile) any spontaneous cooperative behavior.

- Teach them to differentiate that there are things that are theirs and things that belong to everyone and that therefore

there will be times when they should share even if they do not want para, so that they understand that they can not dispose of everything they want and that others They also have the right to use certain things. In these cases in which sharing is something forced, it is necessary to stay firm and not give in to the possible tantrums or tantrums that they present. - Allow them to have some 'special' toy, which we will never oblige them to lend to others, since everyone, including adults, has belongings that we never share with other people. So, when you know that you are going to find yourself in a situation where it would be good for you to share, ask explicitly what toy you want to take with you to share with other children, that is, ask them what they do not mind lending to others so that it costs less to carry out this type of behavior.Aroa Caminero

Psychologist

Centro de Psicología Álava Reyes