“Be a good listener, your ears will never get you in trouble.” – Frank Tyger
“If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.” — Turkish saying
“I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention.” — Diane Sawyer, newscaster
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” — Bryant McGill, author
Turn taking is a social skill that can take time to develop in young school aged children. By providing different opportunities to practice the skill the student in time will be more adept at using those skills in a social setting with peers and adults. This post will show some ideas for promoting Turn Taking.
TURN TAKING is a life skill necessary for social success in all environments. TURN TAKING is not a skill that develops naturally for many children. Many children need to be taught TURN TAKING skills and offered many opportunities to practice. Teaching TURN TAKING involves many skills such as: 1) a social understanding of why we share; 2) self-regulation skills; 3) what to do when I am waiting; and, 4) knowing when to take a turn. By preparing a child to learn about TURN TAKING you are setting them up for successful play with peers.
Source:HOW TO TEACH: “Turn Taking”
Social Stories
PREZI on Sharing and Turn Taking
Taking Turns at Circle (Word Document)
Activities
Read: My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook, (2005)
Use this lesson to talk about blurting and interrupting.
Lesson Plan: Specific Skill: I Can Listen Attentively
Active Listening (for grades 3-6)
Classroom Strategies
Using a Talking Stick
This is a method of enforcing turn-taking in conversation which is part of Native American lore and tradition. Making simple Talking Sticks and using them can provide a fun and useful series of social skills lessons for young people on the autism spectrum.
Videos
Visuals
Building Momentum in Schools 