Taking Turns & Sharing
Taking turns means waiting for your chance, and sharing means letting others use or have some of what you have — both help everyone feel included and happy.
Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Taking turns & sharing as an interactive lesson.
Try the lessonDefinition
Taking turns means one person goes, then another person goes, and you keep switching back and forth. Sharing means giving someone else a part of what you have, or letting them use something that belongs to you. Both skills help friends and classmates get along because everyone gets a fair chance.
Remember the rule
Wait, then go — then let the next person have their turn. My turn, your turn, our turn!
Key words
- Turn
- The time when it is your chance to go, talk, or use something.
- Wait
- To stop and give someone else their chance before you go again.
- Share
- To let someone else have some of what you have, or use something of yours.
- Fair
- When everyone gets a chance or an equal amount — nobody is left out.
- Patient
- Staying calm while you wait for your turn without getting upset.
- Trade
- When you give something to a friend and they give something back to you.
- Include
- Making sure everyone gets to be part of the game or activity.
- Agree
- When two or more people decide on the same plan together.
Worked examples
Mia and Jake both want to use the one red crayon at the same time.
→ Mia uses the red crayon first for two minutes, then passes it to Jake so he can use it. They take turns with the crayon. · Setting a short time helps both kids feel the wait is fair.
There are 6 grapes left and two friends, Sam and Leo, want them.
→ Sam counts out 3 grapes for himself and 3 grapes for Leo so each friend gets the same amount. · Splitting equally is one easy way to share food or small objects.
Four kids want to play on the one swing at recess.
→ The kids make a line and each person swings for one count of 10, then it is the next person's turn. · Making a line so everyone can see the order stops arguments before they start.
During circle time, three children all shout their answer at once and nobody can be heard.
→ The teacher holds up a talking stick. Only the child holding the stick talks. When they finish, they pass it to the next child. · Taking turns talking helps everyone feel listened to.
Rosa has a bag of stickers and her friend Ty has none. Ty looks sad.
→ Rosa gives Ty 4 stickers from her bag so Ty can be happy too. Rosa still has stickers left to enjoy. · Sharing does not mean giving away everything — a little bit goes a long way.
Two kids, Ava and Ben, both grab the same book off the shelf at the library corner.
→ They agree that Ava reads it first while Ben picks a different book. When Ava is done, she hands it to Ben. · Agreeing on who goes first — instead of pulling — keeps both kids calm.
Common mistakes
- Grabbing something back before the other person's turn is over — this feels unfair and can start a fight.
- Saying 'mine!' and never letting anyone else use something, even when you are not using it right now.
- Forgetting to tell a friend it is their turn, so the friend keeps waiting and feels left out.
- Keeping score — thinking 'I shared last time so I never have to share again' — sharing is an ongoing habit, not a one-time deal.
- Getting angry or giving up while waiting — stomping away means everyone loses the chance to play together.
FAQs
What if someone never gives me back my turn?
Calmly say, 'It's my turn now, remember?' If they still won't, ask a grown-up for help. You should not grab or yell.
Do I have to share everything I own?
No. Some special things — like a birthday gift — are just yours. But toys and supplies at school or in shared spaces are meant to be shared.
How long should one person's turn last?
Agree on a time before you start — like counting to 10, singing the ABC song, or setting a one-minute timer. That way it feels fair to everyone.
What if I really, really want to go first?
It is okay to ask politely, 'Can I please go first?' But if someone else asked first, it is their turn. You can be next.
What if sharing means I do not get enough?
Tell the other person how you feel: 'If I give you that many, I won't have any left.' Then work together to find an amount that feels okay for both of you.
Why does taking turns and sharing matter?
When everyone gets a fair chance, people feel respected and happy. Friends who share and take turns have more fun together and fight less.
Want the whole picture for your child?
Every K–6 subject, an AI tutor that teaches step by step, unlimited practice, and a reward world.
Start a 3-day free trial