In special education, teaching students the importance of taking turns and being fair in group settings is essential for fostering positive social interactions and overall wellbeing. This blog post will provide educators with effective IEP goals and strategies to support the development of these crucial skills in PreK students.

Understanding Turn-Taking and Fairness

Turn-taking and fairness refer to the ability of students to recognize the importance of giving others a chance to be first, share resources, or participate in activities. Developing this target skill helps students build positive relationships, promotes group cohesion, and contributes to a healthy learning environment.

The Role of Specialists

Various specialists can support the development of turn-taking and fairness in students:

• Speech-Language Pathologists: Assist in teaching students effective communication skills to express their needs and desires without resorting to aggressive behaviors.
• Social Workers: Help students understand the importance of empathy and considering the feelings of others.
• Psychologists: Provide guidance in developing emotional regulation and coping strategies for handling frustrations related to turn-taking.
• School Counselors: Offer support in resolving conflicts and building positive relationships with peers.

IEP Goals for Turn-Taking and Fairness

Here are some SMART IEP goals and strategies to improve turn-taking and fairness in PreK students:

Goal 1: Student will demonstrate turn-taking in group activities

• Use social stories and role-playing to teach the concept of taking turns.
• Implement structured games and activities that require turn-taking.
• Provide visual cues, such as a token system, to help students track their turn-taking progress.

Goal 2: Student will exhibit fairness in sharing resources and opportunities

• Teach students to recognize and express their feelings regarding fairness through discussions and activities.
• Utilize collaborative projects to encourage equitable participation and resource sharing.
• Model and reinforce appropriate behaviors for sharing and fairness in the classroom.

Implementing and Measuring Progress

To effectively implement these IEP goals and measure progress:

• Collaborate with specialists to develop individualized strategies and interventions.
• Monitor student progress through observations, checklists, and anecdotal records.
• Adjust goals and strategies as needed based on student progress and feedback from specialists.

Conclusion

Teaching turn-taking and fairness is vital for the social and emotional development of PreK students. By implementing these IEP goals and strategies, educators can create a supportive learning environment that fosters positive relationships and group cohesion. We invite you to explore more resources and sample materials at Everyday Speech Sample Materials to further support your students’ growth.