YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME

Program for Teachers – Early Learning & Foundation Year
Together we are changing lives

Introduction

YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME is a foundational inclusion and kindness program that teaches our youngest learners how to share, take turns, and invite others into play. It helps build emotionally safe learning environments where every child feels valued, included, and connected.

This program aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0) and supports key elements of the Australian Curriculum: Foundation Year, including Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social Capability, and Ethical Understanding.

Why run this program?

Children learn social and emotional skills through modelling, experience and guidance. YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME is a daily reminder that small acts of kindness and inclusion make a big difference.

By embedding this program into your class culture, you help children:

• Feel seen, safe and supported

• Build confidence in social settings

• Develop empathy and self-regulation

• Practise fairness, turn-taking and compassion

Implementation Suggestions

1. Create a shared language of Inclusion

Introduce the phrase “You can share with me” during group time, mat time or morning meetings. Use puppets, stories, and real examples to explain the meaning behind the phrase.

• Reinforce kind language every day

• Practise asking and offering to share

• Model inclusive behaviour during group tasks

EYLF Link: Outcome 1 – Children learn to interact with care and respect
Curriculum Link: ACPPS004 – Identify people and actions that help them feel included, safe and supported

2. Use visual prompts & cues

Display the YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME poster at eye-level in learning and play spaces. Use visual cards or role-play tools to support children’s understanding of inclusion and turn-taking.

• Include gesture and facial expression recognition

• Encourage children to use visuals to initiate play

EYLF Link: Outcome 5 – Children interact using verbal and non-verbal communication
Curriculum Link: ACPPS005 – Practise personal and social skills to interact positively with others

3. Daily reflection prompts

Ask reflection questions at the end of the day:

• Who did you share with today?

• Did someone share something with you?

• How did it feel to help someone?

Encourage children to build emotional vocabulary and reflect on their behaviour.

EYLF Link: Outcome 3 – Children develop strong social and emotional wellbeing
Curriculum Link: ACPPS003 – Identify and describe emotional responses and personal strengths

4. Celebrate kindness, not compliance

Avoid using sharing as a behaviour requirement. Instead, acknowledge and celebrate when children choose to share and invite others to join.

• Recognise inclusive behaviours with gentle praise

• Reinforce sharing as a choice, not a command

EYLF Link: Outcome 2 – Children respond to diversity and develop a sense of fairness
Curriculum Link: Ethical Understanding – Recognise the consequences of fair and unfair actions

5. Involve families

Send home a YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME parent flyer (available on request) explaining the message of the program. Encourage families to use the same inclusive language at home.

• Suggest conversation starters for families

• Invite parents to share stories of kindness their child showed at home

EYLF Link: Principle – Partnerships with families
Curriculum Link: General Capabilities – Personal and Social Capability

Teachable moments through play

“The playground is the classroom where kindness is taught.”

Encourage educators to see every moment of play as an opportunity for:

• Empathy-building

• Emotion coaching

• Relationship development

Examples:

• Block area: “Let’s take turns building. Can you say, ‘You can share with me’?”

• Sandpit: “What can you do when someone wants to play too?”

• Dramatic play: “How can you include someone who’s waiting?”

 EYLF Link: Outcome 2 – Children contribute to shared play experiences
Curriculum Link: ACPMP008 – Practise taking turns and following rules in structured activities

Reflection & evaluation

Educators can use observation notes, learning stories, or check-ins to assess the social learning that takes place through this program.

Ask yourself:

• Are more children joining in play without conflict?

• Are children using the “You can share with me” phrase independently?

• Are children recognising when others feel left out?

Consider adding peer-nominated kindness recognition (e.g., “Kindness tree” or “Friendship Star”) for child-led reflections.

Teacher tips

• Be consistent: Use the phrase daily in routines.

• Stay patient: Sharing is a developing skill—reinforce gently.

• Model openly: Narrate your own sharing: “I’m happy to share this marker with you.”

• Celebrate effort: “You tried so hard to wait your turn today. That was kind.”

Quick links to Australian curriculum

Closing message

YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME is about more than toys. It’s about connection, care, confidence and kindness. By embedding this language into the rhythm of your classroom, you are helping children build lifelong social skills, and making sure no child feels left out.

YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME is the early childhood foundation for the YOU CAN SIT WITH ME initiative. It helps young children learn the values of kindness, sharing, and inclusive play in a way that is simple, supportive, and meaningful. As children transition into primary school, the message naturally grows with them, becoming YOU CAN SIT WITH ME, where the focus expands to welcoming others, offering friendship, and standing against exclusion and bullying. Together, these programs build a consistent language of empathy across the early years and into school life, ensuring children carry forward the confidence to include others, and the compassion to make a difference.

From sharing a toy to offering a seat, kindness begins early and lasts a lifetime.