Caring and Sharing

'Caring and sharing' is a very simple phrase to which young children readily respond. If this approach to interacting and living with others is introduced in a positive and enjoyable way, and followed from an early enough age, it can enhance a child's learning potential and personal skills and build a firm foundation for later life. The practical activities encourage active learning and family involvement, so that the adults at home and those in the early years settings may work together consistently to support the children's developing skills and values. They include ideas for encouraging children to enjoy using the words 'please' and 'thank you', to take turns, to share and to listen and speak to each other courteously, so that children may learn to appreciate kindness in others and to show care and respect for members of their own families, friends and others in the community. All of the play activities are designed to develop important preschool skills and positive relationships and are linked to the Early Learning Goals of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, revised by the Department of Education for September 2012.