when do they start to "get" taking turns?

DD was on a Bigwheel at the park today, and an older boy (maybe ~2-2.5, give or take???) came and tried to take it away from her, and they got in a screaming match. His mom wasn't around, so I intervened. Just told him in a friendly voice that Ivy was playing with it, but maybe they could take turns.

To my pleasant surprise he just sniffled and said, "OK," and waited around doing other stuff until I could get DD interested in another (almost identical ) Bigwheel nearby, then took his turn.

I talk to the twins about taking turns all the time, just to try to teach them the concept, and of course it goes right over their heads... But does the other boy's behavior mean that one of these days they're actually going to GET IT? When do they start actually clueing in to taking turns?

 

Mine were doing it by age 2 I think. It is hard to remember! I remember at a family event back in Late May that they were complimented about taking turns. I'm not going to say that they don't get impatient or don't seem to 'get' taking turns all the time.. but it has gotten better.

 

Mine are 4 and they kind of get it (KIND OF) but still will push each others button ALOT

 

I don't know when they full get the taking turns but I do know that it has been a while. One of the funny things here is we did a gym glass that only allowed one child on the trampoline at a time. If some one was waiting they had to count to ten and the person on the trampoline got off. So if one of my girls had something the other one wanted, they would say count to ten.

 

Mine got it when they were 2. Not saying that we never have any fights over things, but they do "get it"...for a child that young, where was his mom?

 

I would say right around 2, by then they would say "Molly's turn", etc and KNOW they had to take turns. Now would mine have given up as easily as that boy.......maybe, lol

 

We've been really pushing the taking turns thing since about 18 months. I don't know exactly when they finally got it, but they are very good at it now. I guess I would have to agree with pps, around 2 sounds about right. Sometimes they resist, but when I stress that they must take turns, they give in. Of course the know if they don't I will make them. They actually do a really good job at it the majority of the time.

 

On a daily basis I don't think my children "get it." I do think at times they understand what taking turns is when I they will actually listen to me.

 

QUOTE
for a child that young, where was his mom?


It's a very large park and completely fenced in. Kids often wander pretty far. She was probably busy with another child. No big deal. As we twin moms know, you can't supervise everyone all the time!

Anyway, how nice to hear that there may be (some) light at the end of the tunnel soon!

 

For a long time we've had real success with counting to 10. I usually do it very slowly so the person on the swing etc gets a long turn. If she knows I'm counting her sister is very good at waiting and when they hear me get to 10 they'll swap fairly happily. What I find now is that the twins themselves will do the counting and end with "Now Maia turn" etc.

 

My DDs are almost 2 and they are starting to "get it." Are they great at it yet? Not really. But, I think they now have the ability to comprehend that each of them gets a turn and they don't seem to get quite as upset when I say "now it's her turn." It's funny because one DD actually started saying "your turn" when it's time for her own turn A little reversed because she'd mimicking what I say, but I know she understands that each of them gets a turn.

 

Some of my kindergarten students still had trouble with the concept. I think there's a big range. But I bet twins get it a little earlier than only children.

 

I met a woman at Costo a few weeks back who answered this question "when they are 18 and leave for different colleges" and I had to laugh cuz it's probably true for us.

 

my kids have gotten pretty good at sharing, taking turns and giving things to each other. they are very close and often help each other with tasks.

i started very early and used the concept of taking turns with everything i could think of. like i'd bring out 1 plate with fruit and they'd take turns each taking a piece (they were in highchairs so I could control it).

of course, if they are overtired or really, really want something, there can be some fighting/tantrums, but i think that's normal.