Taking Turns

In the past, we used to tell kiddos that “sharing is caring”.  At CMP we like to empower our learners by using the term “tap, tap Turn”.

Sharing is a tool that is still developing in kiddos.  Their brains can often not understand why they are being forced to “share” a

toy when they are still using it.  Being “made to share” can make it difficult for kiddos to manage feelings of frustration and

anger, which in turn make it difficult in cooperative play.

IN these situations, we try and foster turn taking.  Asking for a turn rather than demanding to share, lets the child choose when they are ready to stop playing with an item.

Asking for a turn can be tricky, but with some modeling from a grownup, kiddos can quickly learn how to ask.

Asking for a turn looks and sounds like this:

1. Tap the friend on the shoulder. Wait for them to acknowledge.
2. Say “I want a turn with ____ when you’re done.”
3. The other kiddo will respond with “yes, you can have a turn when I’m done.”
4. Validate the child’s feelings who is waiting. “It’s hard to wait, what can we do while we wait?”
5. When the friend is done with the toy, they will pass it along by saying “it’s your turn now.”
6. Praise both kiddos with “you did it!”

Taking turns fosters:

• Respect for others.
• Helps children practice patience (it’s hard to wait).
• Allows children to set their own boundaries.