Taking turns and sharing are very important skills for
children to have as they begin to socialize with other children and also
adults. Be it a typical developing child or a child with special needs, these
skills can sometimes be a challenge.
In order to teach your child these skills, use strategies
such as “Social Stories” or “Video Modelling”. (In our previous blogs regarding
toilet training there is a video on how social stories are done). Make it
simple and short. For example:
Title: Sharing
Page 1: This is Jane
Page2: Jane shares her toys and food
Page3: Jane can share (Have pictures of items
ranging for most desired to least desired items)
Page 4: Wow look Jane
is sharing
Page 5: (name of
friend) is happy when Jane shares
Page 6: Mummy and
Daddy are so happy Jane is sharing
Page 7: Hooray!!!
The same story can also be used when we want to teach our
child to take turns too. As for
video modelling, record a scenario of someone sharing items with peers or
siblings. The video can be similar to the flow of the social story.
Be sure to also have a reinforce prepared to give the child
the child can successfully share or take turns. This reinforce should be something strong and the child
desires for.
Next have a list of items that can be used to teach the
child to share/take turns. Always
start with items that are not the child’s favourite. The reason why this is
done is because the attachment that the child has towards the item is not
strong enough and it will be easier for the child to start getting use to the
concept.
Then start practising. It is always easier to practice with
an adult first and then slowly to move on to peers or siblings. First read the
social story or watch the video model. Immediately after that practice with the
child. Remember to reinforce if the child after practising. As you are
reinforcing your child remember to say how good he/she shared/took turns so the
child knows he is being reinforced for these skills.
Written by
Jessica Ganesha
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