Turn Taking
Turn taking means understanding that sometimes someone else goes first, you wait, and then it becomes your turn.
That sounds simple, but the idea can take time to learn.
A visual can make the pattern clearer.
Real activities are where the skill begins to grow.
Teach the pattern first
Keep the language simple:
Someone goes first → I wait → My turn
Your SteadyHand visual introduces exactly this sequence, then shows that My Turn / Your Turn can move back and forth between two people.
At first, keep turns short.
Your child should not have to wait a long time just to practise the idea.
Then practise it in real life
The visual teaches the concept.
Practice teaches the skill.
Start with something your child already enjoys and where the turns are easy to see.
For example:
Rolling a ball
“My turn.” Roll.
“Your turn.” Roll back.
Toy cars
One person pushes the car, then passes it over.
Bubbles
One person blows, then the other person gets a turn.
Building blocks
“One block for me. One block for you.”
Simple games
Take one short turn, then pass the turn on.
Keep the pattern obvious:
My turn → Your turn → My turn → Your turn
Make waiting manageable
If waiting is still difficult, shorten the turn.
Instead of expecting your child to wait through several actions, begin with just one.
You can also point to the visual while saying:
“My turn. Then your turn.”
As the pattern becomes familiar, gradually make the turns a little longer.
Turn taking is easier to learn when the child can clearly see when their turn is coming back.
Your turn taking support
Turn Taking Visual Support
US$1.90
A simple visual resource for introducing the basic idea of turn taking.
The pack teaches:
- someone goes first
- I wait
- then it is my turn
- turns can move back and forth between two people
The second teaching page uses a toy-car example to show My Turn / Your Turn visually.
Best for:
Children who need a clear visual introduction to what turn taking means before practising it during play and everyday activities.
If turn taking is still difficult
Look at what part is hard.
Is your child unsure whose turn it is?
Is waiting difficult?
Is the turn too long?
Is the item very hard to give up?
You may need to simplify the activity before expecting longer or more complicated turns.
The aim is not perfect sharing.
It is gradually learning:
“I can have a turn, someone else can have a turn, and my turn can come back.”
Keep it short. Keep it predictable.
Teach the pattern.
Practise it with something familiar.
Repeat it across different activities.