Sharing and taking turns.
Giving up something you're using, even for a minute, is genuinely hard. A clear way to see the turn coming back helps.
Social story
Taking Turns
Sometimes I am playing with something and someone else wants a turn.
Giving a turn can feel hard. I am not losing the toy.
When my turn is done, I let them have a turn.
I can watch or do something else while I wait.
Then the turn comes back to me. Taking turns means everyone gets a turn.
More ways to help with sharing
What to expect
Sharing feels like losing the thing, which is why it's so hard. Showing that turns come back, and giving the wait a shape, makes taking turns feel fair instead of like a loss. A timer makes 'your turn, then mine' concrete.
One tip from a dad who's been there
Use a timer so turns are about the clock, not about you taking the toy away. 'First your turn, then my turn' on a card shows the toy is coming back.
