Why is taking turns so important?
So why are these simple opportunities so important? They lay the groundwork for social interaction. In doing these early play-based opportunities, parents are teaching their child how to take a turn then wait while someone else takes a turn. During the waiting portion, the child is learning to be patient as well as observe and interpret what is going on in the situation. This is the foundation for conversational turn taking. One person takes a speaking turn while the other listens and observes nonverbal cues, then the roles switch. It is a valuable life skill...an investment in one's future successes!
- A mother teaches her baby to take turns when making those first exciting coos. The baby coos... Mother coos.
- A toddler loves to play ball. Dad throws the ball then teaches his toddler to throw it back.
- Playing games, such as board games or card games, requires a child to take a turn then wait for others to complete their turns before taking another.
So why are these simple opportunities so important? They lay the groundwork for social interaction. In doing these early play-based opportunities, parents are teaching their child how to take a turn then wait while someone else takes a turn. During the waiting portion, the child is learning to be patient as well as observe and interpret what is going on in the situation. This is the foundation for conversational turn taking. One person takes a speaking turn while the other listens and observes nonverbal cues, then the roles switch. It is a valuable life skill...an investment in one's future successes!
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