Accepts not getting what he or she wants sometimes  

Selection of highly motivating toys

Squeeze ball/sponge

1. Sit the children in a circle and take toys out of a bag. The child is allowed first choice of toys on the first occasion that toys are taken out of the bag but on subsequent occasions will have to wait. A squeeze ball or sponge may help a child to wait by giving the child something to fiddle with while they wait.

2. While the child is waiting for a go with a desirable toy praise good waiting.

3. Gradually extend the time the child must wait.

'First......then' card - example

Desk equipment e.g. glue, scissors, rulers.

Introduce a 'First.....then' card to the child and show that first someone else has a go with the scissors/glue etc and then he/she can have a go.

A short 'story' specially written to explain the behaviour that is wanted in the situation.

When you know a problem situation is going to emerge write out a short story about the future event giving one idea about the behaviour you hope to see. Use simple language which is unemotional and factual. Allow the child to keep this descriptive story in a book or bag or pocket for reference as needed.

An example of a story for helping a child not get what they want straight away:

"Sometimes lots of children want the same thing at the same time.

Sometimes I really want ...........and I have to wait. This is hard. Sometimes it makes me feel angry.

Other children can feel angry when they don't get what they want too.

I will try to keep calm when I don't get what I want straight away. Sometimes my teacher will help me get what I want a bit later on.

Most children don't get what they want all the time. When this happens to my friends they try to keep calm. I will try to be like my friends and keep calm if I can't have what I want straight away."