Language is so important. Let’s unpack the language of sharing vs turn taking.

Young children are learning the skills of sharing and turn taking and they need support.

First let’s clarify the terms. Sharing is when something can be divided, so that each child has some of what ever is being “shared”.

If there is only one then the terminology is to “take turns”, first one person uses it and then another.

At Friendship Garden we do not put a time limit on a child who is using something. It is never taken away. The child gets to chose when they are finished. Classmates may ask for turn by saying, “may I have a turn when you are done?”. It is important for the child to control the length of time needed with an object before they are done. If I wanted the pen you were writing with and you were not done, do you need to give it to me? Of course not, we’d find another pen or I would wait until you were done. We need to respect children in the same way.

The language we use should reflect what the action or behavior is so it is clear to the child – “taking turns” implies you will get it back this is different from “sharing”.