I Can Wait for My Turn: A Simple Social Story for Waiting and Turn-Taking

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Waiting for a turn can be hard for children, especially when they are excited about an activity.

Turn-taking requires children to practice waiting, patience, and self-regulation.

This simple social story teaches five basic ideas:

1. We take turns.

2. Sometimes I have to wait.

3. While I wait, I can stay calm. Children might take deep breaths, hold a fidget, or look at a book.

4. Now it’s my turn!

5. When I’m done, it’s your turn!

How to Use the Visual

Review the visual when the child is calm, and then refer back to it during games and other turn-taking activities.

Start with short waits and gradually increase the amount of waiting as the child becomes more comfortable.

Remember that waiting does not have to mean sitting perfectly still.

The goal is for the child to learn: I can wait, and my turn will come.

Want a Personalized Social Story?

Contact me at rachelwise@educationandbehavior.com if you’d like a personalized social story with a character who looks more like your child, student, or adult learner. I can create individualized social stories for children and adults on a variety of skills, routines, and situations.

Rachel Wise

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Rachel Wise is the author and founder of Education and Behavior. Rachel created Education and Behavior in 2014 for adults to have an easy way to access research-based information to support children in the areas of learning, behavior, and social-emotional development. As a survivor of abuse, neglect, and bullying, Rachel slipped through the cracks of her school and community. Education and Behavior hopes to play a role in preventing that from happening to other children. Rachel is also the author of Building Confidence and Improving Behavior in Children: A Guide for Parents and Teachers.

"Children do best when there is consistency within and across settings (i.e., home, school, community). Education and Behavior allows us to maintain that consistency."