Taking Turns with Toys
Here's What To Do
Play a taking turns and waiting game with your child. Choose one of your child’s favorite toys to play this game.
Allow your child to begin playing with their toy. After a few minutes, ask for a turn.
Now it’s your turn! Begin to play with your child’s toy and ask them to wait while you play.
See if your child can pause and wait while you play. Acknowledge their waiting, and then return their toy to let them play again.
Practice taking turns, extending the wait time as you play. Watch your child’s patience grow!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Settle in on the floor and invite your child to play a game with you.
Engage:
- "I have the toy right now. You want a turn! What can you say?"
- "What do you think will happen if we ask for a turn instead of taking the toy?"
Encourage:
- "I love how you used your words instead of grabbing. That was a great choice!"
- "It’s okay to wait a little bit! You’re doing a great job being patient."
Reflect:
- "How did you feel when I asked you nicely for a turn?"
Not quite ready?
If your child struggles with waiting, start with a visual cue like using a timer. Say, "When the timer beeps, it will be your turn!"
Ready for more?
Practice turn-taking with a sibling or friend! Encourage your child to use their words in a real-life situation and praise them when they do.
As your child masters this skill...
Use kind words and patience when playing with others, strengthening their ability to solve conflicts independently.