Teaching young students the concept of taking turns is a crucial aspect of their social and emotional development. Here are some taking turn activities kids love!
Learning to take turns helps students develop essential social skills such as patience, empathy, and cooperation. By introducing this concept early on, teachers can lay a solid foundation for students to build positive relationships and navigate social interactions effectively.
Benefits of Introducing Turn-Taking Early
Introducing the concept of taking turns early in a child’s education has numerous benefits. It helps students learn to wait for their chance to participate, communicate effectively with their peers, and understand the importance of sharing and cooperation.
Teaching turn-taking also fosters a sense of fairness and equality among students, promoting a positive classroom environment where everyone feels valued and included. This is especially beneficial for inclusion and special education classrooms!
Activities That Students Love Involving Taking Turns
While teaching taking turns is important, it’s equally as important that your students enjoy the activities that encourage them to do so. Here are some tried and tested student-approved activities that they’ll love!
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Calendar Time
Calendar time allows students to take turns leading various activities, such as updating the date, weather, and special events. It encourages collaborative learning and helps children develop a sense of responsibility.
Since calendar time happens every day, it gives all students a chance to participate throughout the month.
UNO
UNO is a popular card game that requires players to take turns matching colors and numbers. It promotes strategic thinking, decision-making, and fair play among participants.
Connect 4
Connect 4 is a classic game where players take turns dropping colored discs to form a line of four. It enhances critical thinking skills, spatial reasoning, and patience.
Go Fish
Go Fish is a simple card game where players take turns asking for cards to make pairs. It teaches children how to strategize, communicate effectively, and practice patience.
Candy Land
Candy Land is a colorful board game in which players take turns moving through a sweet-themed world. It promotes turn-taking, rule-following, and good sportsmanship.
Partner Drawing Prompts
Partner drawing prompts involve pairs of students taking turns adding to a shared drawing. It encourages collaboration, creativity, and communication skills.
Building a Tower with Blocks or LEGO Bricks
Building towers with blocks or LEGO bricks requires students to take turns adding pieces to create a structure. It enhances fine motor skills, creativity, and teamwork.
Task Boxes
Task boxes are interactive learning activities in which students take turns completing tasks or solving puzzles. They promote independent learning, cooperation, and critical thinking.
Battleship
Battleship is a strategic guessing game where players take turns trying to sink each other’s ships. It develops problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and turn-taking etiquette.
Memory Games
Memory games involve players taking turns flipping cards to find matching pairs. They improve cognitive skills, concentration, and memory retention.
Crocodile Dentist Game
The Crocodile Dentist game is a suspenseful activity where players take turns pulling teeth from a snapping crocodile’s mouth. It encourages risk-taking, anticipation, and social interaction.
Pop the Pig Game
Pop the Pig is a fun game where players take turns feeding the pig until it pops. It teaches counting, color recognition, and turn-taking in an engaging way.
Talking Stick Time (Sharing Time)
Talking stick time allows students to take turns sharing stories, thoughts, or experiences using a designated talking stick. It promotes active listening, respect for others’ perspectives, and self-expression.
Cooking
Cooking activities involve students taking turns following recipes, measuring ingredients, and preparing dishes together. They enhance life skills, teamwork, and appreciation for diverse foods.
I Have, Who Has Games
I Have, Who Has games are interactive card games where students take turns asking and answering questions to build connections between concepts. They promote active participation, communication skills, and critical thinking.
Incorporating these engaging activities that involve taking turns into early education settings can help students develop essential social skills, foster positive relationships, and establish a cooperative learning environment conducive to their overall growth and development. By teaching the value of taking turns from an early age, teachers can empower students to navigate social interactions effectively and thrive in various collaborative settings.
