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Turn-taking requires waiting, memory and trust that another opportunity will come.
Taking turns: what parents can notice
It develops first in rapid social games before children manage long waits with prized objects.
How this ability develops
It develops first in rapid social games before children manage long waits with prized objects.
The path toward Taking turns is rarely a straight line. Children practise component skills, pause, try a different strategy and return with more control. Prematurity, health, temperament and opportunities to move and interact can all influence timing.
What variation can look like
Parallel play and ownership are normal throughout toddlerhood.
A milestone guide is a prompt for observation and conversation, not a home diagnostic test. Consider how the child plays, learns, communicates, relates and moves as a whole, and use corrected age when a clinician recommends it for a child born early.
Support through everyday play
Use short predictable turns and narrate “my turn, your turn” without forcing sharing.
- Begin with a skill the child can already do and add one manageable challenge.
- Pause long enough for the child to respond rather than completing the task immediately.
- Repeat enjoyable games often; repetition is how young children test and refine ideas.
A meaningful real-life example
A parent rolls a ball to a child, waits for the return and celebrates the shared rhythm rather than accuracy.
The adult’s role in Taking turns is to make the opportunity safe, notice the child’s attempt and respond without turning play into a performance. Warm attention is more useful than drilling or repeated testing.
Safety and comfort
Step in early if conflict becomes unsafe and provide duplicates when waiting is unrealistic.
During Taking turns activities, stop if the child is distressed, exhausted or in pain. Avoid equipment or exercises that force the body into a position the child cannot reach or leave independently, and adapt the environment before expecting impulse control.
When a conversation may help
Seek support if social participation is broadly difficult or conflict is severe across settings.
Bring concerns about Taking turns to the child’s healthcare professional rather than waiting for a crisis. A clear description, short video of an everyday attempt and notes about hearing, vision, movement and interaction can make the conversation more useful. Loss of an established skill deserves prompt attention.
Frequently asked questions
Can parents practise Taking turns?
For Taking turns, offer safe, enjoyable opportunities, but avoid drilling or forcing. Development grows through voluntary participation.
What matters more than an exact age for Taking turns?
With Taking turns, progress over time, the quality and symmetry of the skill, and the child’s wider development provide better context.
In brief
Turn-taking grows from brief enjoyable exchanges, not compulsory surrender of possessions.
References
The following authoritative resources support editorial and professional review of Taking turns. Check every source for current and locally applicable guidance before publication.
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Healthier Baby Today articles are reviewed for accuracy and updated as guidance changes.
Last updated: July 17, 2026
