Developing Sharing

The present study evaluated modeling and five other behavioral techniques for facilitating sharing. A multiple baseline design across three groups of five preschool children was used. Instructions, modeling, and praising the model did not influence how frequently the children shared their toys. When given an opportunity to practice the model's behavior, the children showed an increase in sharing. In addition, prompts and praise further facilitated sharing. At the end of the study, when all six behavioral techniques were used, each group was sharing at least four times more often than at the beginning of the study. The results suggest that use of modeling and instructions are not enough to facilitate sharing among young children. It appears that children should be provided with an opportunity to practice sharing and be given prompts and praise for sharing.