Try teaching your children these Five Simple Rules for Sharing.

The Golden Rule: Encourage your child to think about how much he would like to see his friends' gifts and how much fun it would be to share his toys with friends. "James, let's show Cole how this works. Isn't that interesting, Cole? Now, would you like to show James something?"

Ask Before Taking: It is very important to teach young children not to just grab things on impulse. Explain that the best way to borrow something is to ask politely, "Matthew, when you are finished playing with that, may I please have a turn?"

When I'm Done: Likewise, if someone wants to play with your child's toy, teach him specific skills for dealing with the situation. He does not always have to immediately relinquish his special item. Instead, he can politely share at his own pace: "Maya, I'm playing with this right now, but when I'm finished I'll give it to you."

Special Place for Special Stuff: There will always be an extra-special item, such as a beloved snuggly or special gift, that your child may not want to share. It is best to place these special items aside when having guests in your home. That way, you can avoid sticky situations that make the pressure of sharing too great for little ones.

Trade Toys: When visiting friends, be sure to bring your own stash of toys. It can be upsetting for young children to feel as if they have to share all of their toys, while their visitors never share any with them. By bringing toys to share, both the host and the guest can enjoy exploring new things.