If your toddler or preschooler struggles to wait, grabs toys, or melts down when someone else goes first, you’re not alone. Get clear, age-appropriate guidance for turn taking behavior in toddlers and practical ways to teach turn taking at home.
Tell us what turn taking looks like right now—whether your child won’t wait, gets upset, or only struggles in certain situations—and we’ll help you find the next best steps.
Turn taking is a skill that develops gradually, not all at once. Many toddlers are just beginning to understand waiting and fairness, while preschoolers are still practicing how to manage frustration when they don’t get to go first. If you’re wondering when do toddlers learn to take turns, the short answer is: over time, with repetition, modeling, and support. Trouble with turn taking does not automatically mean something is wrong—it often means your child needs simple practice in real situations.
Use clear language like “my turn, then your turn” and start with very short waits. Short, successful practice helps toddlers build confidence before longer turn taking is expected.
Sit close during play and coach the moment. Gentle reminders, visual cues, and calm praise can help when your child understands the rule but struggles in the moment.
Turn taking skills for preschoolers and toddlers grow faster when they are built into daily play, snacks, games, and family routines—not only addressed after grabbing or conflict happens.
This is one of the easiest turn taking activities for toddlers because the pattern is clear, physical, and quick. Say whose turn it is each time to reinforce the concept.
Take turns adding one block at a time. This helps with waiting, watching, and handling the feeling that someone else is in control for a moment.
Offer one item at a time and alternate who chooses first. These simple turn taking activities at home work well because they happen often and feel meaningful to young children.
Choose games with short rounds and obvious order. Preschoolers can practice waiting, following rules, and coping when the outcome is not in their favor.
Games like taking turns jumping, tossing beanbags, or doing silly movements help children learn that waiting can be active and manageable.
Pretend cooking, doctor play, or taking turns being the helper can support teaching sharing and turn taking in a way that feels playful instead of forced.
Many parents search for help because their child has trouble taking turns even when they seem to know the rule. That’s common. Turn taking often breaks down when a child is excited, tired, protective of favorite toys, or overwhelmed by social demands. The most effective support is specific: noticing what triggers the struggle, adjusting expectations to your child’s age, and using consistent practice. Personalized guidance can help you figure out how to help your child take turns in the situations that are hardest right now.
Yes. Turn taking behavior in toddlers is still developing, and many young children find waiting very hard. They may understand the idea before they can consistently do it, especially during exciting play or when a favorite toy is involved.
Start small, use short turns, and practice during calm moments. Clear phrases, visual cues, and simple turn taking activities at home often work better than long explanations in the middle of conflict.
Focus on preparation and support. Let your child know what will happen, keep the wait brief, and stay nearby to coach. Over time, repeated practice helps children tolerate the disappointment of not going first.
Yes, especially when the games are simple and the rules are clear. Good turn taking games for preschoolers give children repeated, low-pressure chances to wait, watch, and try again.
They are related but not the same. Sharing often means giving access to an item, while turn taking means using something in sequence. Teaching sharing and turn taking together can help, but some children find one easier than the other.
Answer a few questions about your child’s current challenges to get practical next steps, age-appropriate strategies, and support tailored to the situations where turn taking is hardest.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
Behavioral Milestones
Behavioral Milestones
Behavioral Milestones
Behavioral Milestones