Find Help and Information For Parents of Infants & children 0-5 years

Taking turns

Young children find it very difficult to take turns and would prefer to keep the toy to themselves for as long as possible. The following game can help a child to understand the concept of taking turns, have fun at the same time and in time the fighting over toys may be reduced.
For this game you will need a toy, and some music. A drum is a good toy for this game because it makes lots of noise and can be limited to a minute or two.

Feel free to use your own ideas here

• Write the children’s names on pieces of paper and ask them to put them in a hat. You can then pick one name from the hat to start the game

• Sit the children in a circle on the floor

• Show then the drum and tell them that they can play it with the music you are going to put on (You can use a nursery rhyme that they can sing along to if you like)

• The child hits the drum to the music and when you stop the music everyone shouts “it’s (name child) turn” and the drum is passed to the named child

• Continue the game taking turns until they get fed up or you run out of time

Remember to give lots of praise for their participation in the game & for taking turns.
Frances Byatt-Smith RN RHV BA (Hons) Psychology

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