Last post, I discussed about the importance of sharing and turn taking and how some children might have difficulties following thorugh with these skills. Today, I am going to go further and suggest some strategies on how to inculcate these skills.
Sharing
Establishing sharing as a habit is one of the most common and unobtrusive way to teach a child about sharing. Allowing the child to understand that sharing occurs everyday in life helps her to ease into the habit of sharing and giving.
1) When it is meal time, put the child's favorite food on a common plate from which everyone share.
2) When offering the child a piece of goodie, ask the child if you can have a bit too. Do this consistently but not persistently. Once child is comfortale most of the time agreeing to share, even with a third or fourth person, lower the frequency of asking to the minimal of just occasional.
3) Let child see others sharing their food - dad is giving a slice of his steak to mum.
4) Whenever you are eating something that you know your child might like, ask her if she wants some and if she does, tell her that you are going to share with her. Always pair the word "sharing" with the action of giving to make the idea of sharing more concrete for the child.
5) Praise the child for sharing although you might want to fade that social prompt over time to make sharing look more natural than demanded.
When a child is reluctant to share, be patient and demonstrate to her the importance of and fun in sharing. Some children are more reluctant than others but that does not mean that they can never learn to share. Sharing is a habit that can be established over time so do not give up on teaching them this essential and fundamental skill.
Turn Taking
Teaching "my turn" versus "your turn" is probably one of the most popular strategies used to teach turn taking. However, at times it can be rather tricky teaching this concept as some children get mixed up over the rules of possessions ("my" versus "your") easily. Thus phase by phase teaching of "my" versus "your" may be advisable at times depending on the child's level of understanding.
Thus, start by teaching "my turn". Allow child to see that the person who says "my turn" gets to play with the toy. There may be instances when a child identify "my turn" as "only me". Physical and gestural prompt may be needed at this stage - "no, (gently push hand of child away) my turn (pat yourself on the chest then take your turn on the toy. The child's is prevented from touching the toy while you play with the toy)". Then immediately after you had your turn, prompt the child to express it is his turn and push the toy towards him to gesture to him that it is his turn to play. Once child is able to understand that whoever says "my turn" gets to play, then it might be easier to teach the child to express "your turn".
I think that should be enough information for the time being. If you however want more suggestions such as on how to further teach the concept of "your turn", please do not hesistate to email me at davensim@triumphantkids.com.
Till then, please do come visit this blog for more information and teaching ideas!
Sharing
Establishing sharing as a habit is one of the most common and unobtrusive way to teach a child about sharing. Allowing the child to understand that sharing occurs everyday in life helps her to ease into the habit of sharing and giving.
1) When it is meal time, put the child's favorite food on a common plate from which everyone share.
2) When offering the child a piece of goodie, ask the child if you can have a bit too. Do this consistently but not persistently. Once child is comfortale most of the time agreeing to share, even with a third or fourth person, lower the frequency of asking to the minimal of just occasional.
3) Let child see others sharing their food - dad is giving a slice of his steak to mum.
4) Whenever you are eating something that you know your child might like, ask her if she wants some and if she does, tell her that you are going to share with her. Always pair the word "sharing" with the action of giving to make the idea of sharing more concrete for the child.
5) Praise the child for sharing although you might want to fade that social prompt over time to make sharing look more natural than demanded.
When a child is reluctant to share, be patient and demonstrate to her the importance of and fun in sharing. Some children are more reluctant than others but that does not mean that they can never learn to share. Sharing is a habit that can be established over time so do not give up on teaching them this essential and fundamental skill.
Turn Taking
Teaching "my turn" versus "your turn" is probably one of the most popular strategies used to teach turn taking. However, at times it can be rather tricky teaching this concept as some children get mixed up over the rules of possessions ("my" versus "your") easily. Thus phase by phase teaching of "my" versus "your" may be advisable at times depending on the child's level of understanding.
Thus, start by teaching "my turn". Allow child to see that the person who says "my turn" gets to play with the toy. There may be instances when a child identify "my turn" as "only me". Physical and gestural prompt may be needed at this stage - "no, (gently push hand of child away) my turn (pat yourself on the chest then take your turn on the toy. The child's is prevented from touching the toy while you play with the toy)". Then immediately after you had your turn, prompt the child to express it is his turn and push the toy towards him to gesture to him that it is his turn to play. Once child is able to understand that whoever says "my turn" gets to play, then it might be easier to teach the child to express "your turn".
I think that should be enough information for the time being. If you however want more suggestions such as on how to further teach the concept of "your turn", please do not hesistate to email me at davensim@triumphantkids.com.
Till then, please do come visit this blog for more information and teaching ideas!
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