How do I address this behaviour

[DieAntword]

I have a 2 year old and a 6 month old and we go to lots of baby groups. One of the groups is read and rhyme at the library. At this group they have various audience participation aspects - turning pages or lifting flaps in books, songs with objects children get to hold and manipulate etc.

My son goes right up to the front and stands in the way of anyone else trying to participate. He doesn't understand anyone else gets to have a turn. I am finding it hard to police. I want him to have a turn, but obviously not ALL the turns. He is at the same time very shy so I want to encourage him to join in but not at the expense of everyone else. He was only 2 a few days ago and doesn't have great social skills. All the parents tend to be sitting at the back/round the edges and I'd have to charge through a crowd of toddlers to drag him away from the front every time he goes up there.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

You could try distracting him but if he keeps doing it, you may find that the others soon start getting more confident and taking turns more themselves.

[Rainatnight]

I think it's just one of those things they have to keep learning to get the hang of. When my DD was having trouble with turns, I did loads of practicing with her, making up opportunities for us to take turns at stuff at home.

I also found that I needed to spell out for her what taking turns means, while the situation was unfolding, which was quite hard work! So, 'you have a go now. Now you stop, and X has a go. Now X is finishing and you have a go'.

She's pretty good now (though still has her moments, obvs!)

[PaulMorel]

My wife used to teach my kids in turns at home. Simple things like who would water the plants or use the iPad. In that way they can easily adjust to situation like yours.