Children (and people in general) have to take turns all the time. Children take turns when they play games like checkers or four square, while they participate in a class discussion, or during a conversation. Adults have to wait and take turns too - in meetings, in stores and when driving. Taking turns, and in particular, waiting for the time when it’s your turn, can be frustrating. It’s good to practice turn taking, because it happens all the time.
Use Real Life, Teachable Moments
The next time you are waiting to take your turn during everyday experiences (like in line or at a restaurant), point it out. Talk with them about ways to manage waiting. Talk about different ways you like to pass the time while you wait and try out a few to see how it goes.
Board Game Time
Playing a board game is a great way to practice skills like taking turns and showing good sportsmanship, whether you win or lose. This way, you also get a chance to see how the child does with playing games. Do they have a harder time when they win or lose?
Partner Drawing
You draw a small part of a drawing, and then hand the drawing over to your partner, who adds another part to the drawing. Then your partner hands the drawing back to you. Keep going until the picture is completed.
Tell a Story
Create a story together. One person says a couple of sentences, then the next person tells the next section of the story, etc. You can set a time limit or a sentence limit. Get ready to be silly!
