Library · Taking Turns & Sharing

A social story for taking turns

when someone else wants the toy.

The favorite toy, another child reaching for it, and the urge to grab it back. Vivi turns that moment into a narrated, animated story your child stars in: waiting, something to do while waiting, and the turn coming back.

Who it helps

Practicing taking turns in a story, as the main character.

For children who grab, shout or cry when it is someone else's turn, and for children who find the unspoken rules of playing with other kids hard to read. Parents and kindergarten teachers of autistic children often use a social story like this before free play, when sharing is most likely to come up.

It does not promise that every toy comes straight back. It shows what waiting looks like, and that it ends.

  1. Another child wants a turn

    In the middle of play, a child reaches for the toy. It is hard to let go.

  2. The urge to grab

    A tight feeling, a shout on the way. The story names it without blaming your child for it.

  3. Waiting with something to do

    A polite request, a different toy for now, counting or watching. The turn is coming.

  4. The turn comes back

    The toy returns, the children play again, and waiting turned out to be something they could do.

Yours, not ours. These are the moments a story like this usually walks through. You choose what goes into your child's, and read every page before it is animated.

Questions parents ask

About taking turns, in short.

  1. How often should we watch it?

    A few times a week, and on mornings before kindergarten or a play date. Watch it when everyone is calm, not right after a fight over a toy.

  2. Can I use my child's real toy and friend?

    Yes. Tell Vivi which toy is hardest to share, who they usually play with, and what you say at home about waiting. You read every page before it is animated and ask for changes in plain words.

  3. How do I teach my child to take turns?

    Show what a turn looks like from start to finish, give them something to do while they wait, and keep the words the same each time. A social story with your child as the main character turns that into a short scene they can watch again before play.

  4. How much does it cost?

    Your first story is free in your first 30 days. After that you buy credits: 3 for $9, 10 for $26 or 30 for $66. A story is 1 credit, and a Fully Animated story is 10 more. Your first routine, Choose-Along and plan are free, then 1 credit each. Bought credits never expire.

Make it about your child tonight.

Your first story is free. Set up your child, start from Taking Turns & Sharing, and watch it together before bed.

More moments: Brushing Teeth · Making Friends · Getting New Glasses · Going on Vacation · The Next Activity (Transitions) · all 30 stories →

Vivi Kids is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Carol Gray or Team Social Stories.