Teach Turn-Taking from an Early Age
Ever feel like you’re starring in a never-ending episode of 'Who Gets the Red Crayon?' Welcome to the world of toddler turn-taking, where sharing is a four-letter word and every game is a full-contact sport. If you’ve ever negotiated a ceasefire over a plastic spoon, this might just be the sanity-saving strategy you need. Spoiler: it involves fewer tears (yours and theirs) and more giggles… eventually.
Teaching turn-taking isn’t just about avoiding toy-related brawls (though, bonus!). It actually wires your kid’s brain for patience, empathy, and self-control. Every time they wait, their little prefrontal cortex does a happy dance, building the skills they’ll need for friendships, school, and not losing it in line at the ice cream truck.
How to do it
Start with super-short, simple games—think rolling a ball back and forth or taking turns making silly animal noises.
Narrate what’s happening as you play. For example: “Now it’s your turn, now it’s mine!”
Use timers or songs to make waiting fun (or at least less like watching paint dry).
Praise every attempt, even if it’s just a half-second pause before the next grab.
And remember:
- Consistency is key.
- Keep your sense of humor, even when the “turns” last exactly 0.3 seconds.