Taking turns
Taking turns is a difficult concept to understand. Playing games where you have to take turns holding an object will help baby understand an important social skill – letting someone else have a turn does not mean you will never have the object again.
Why do it?
- Sharing is a difficult idea for baby to understand — they need to know that if they give something up, they’ll get it back. This activity helps baby understand through taking turns.
- It’s also another chance to use parallel talk and self-talk, so baby hears the words that belong with the actions.
How to do it
- Find a soft ball.
- Sit opposite baby, legs apart, holding the ball.
- Roll the ball to baby and say, ‘Your turn! Roll the ball to Dad’
- Be ready to retrieve the ball and roll it back to baby again, saying, ‘Your turn.’
- Play until baby has had enough.
Using more te reo Māori
| Te reo Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Ngā kupu | Words |
| Rerenga kōrero | Sentence, phrase |
| Tohatoha | Share |
| Rongonga | Hearing |
| Pārekareka | Enjoyable, fun |
| Nōu te wā | Your turn |
| Nōku te wā | My turn |
| Ko koe te tuatahi | You go first |
| Ko au te tuarua | I'll go second |
| Tauaro | To be opposite, facing towards each other |
| E noho | Sit |
| E noho ki te whāriki | Sit here on the carpet |
| Whewhera ōu waewae | Spread your legs |
| Pīrori te pōro | Roll the ball |
| He pōro mākohakoha | A soft ball |
| Tukuna | Release, let go |
| Huri mai | Turn to me |
| Mātakitaki Māmā | Watch mum |
| Ka taea e koe te hopu? | Can you catch it? |
| Rawe | Excellent |
| Kātahi te pēpi mōhio, ko koe | What a clever baby you are |
| E reretahi ana te karu mē te ringa | The eye and the hand are coordinated |
| Mā te whakaharatau e tika ai | Practice makes perfect |
