Sharing Toys with the Timer.

13 August 2018. Written by T Liz

Asalamo Alaikom and Kia Ora Ayah. Over the last few weeks we have been working to increase the ways you
can express your emotions and needs in a way that is okay for everyone. Today I saw you wanted a toy that
another child was playing with. I could see you really wanted the toy so I suggested “I could set the timer
and when the timer went off, it would be your turn” and this would be fair to both of you.” You both nodded
yes and you watched me get my phone out and set the timer. I saw you waited patiently until the timer went
off. Lots of time you asked me “Teacher is it timer yet”? I showed you the numbers counting down on the
timer and explained that “when all the numbers were ‘0’ the buzzer would ring and then it would be your
turn”. You smiled each time I explained what was going to happen and soon the buzzer rang. I asked the
other child to give it to you, so they handed it over. I suggested I could put the timer on again and when the
timer went off it would be the other child’s turn again. You both nodded yes so I put the timer on again.
This time the other child wanted to keep taking the toy you had before it was your turn. Each time they
tried to snatch it off you, you told them “No, it’s my turn. When the timer goes off it’s your turn”. You liked
playing with the toy until the timer went off then you happily handed it back to the other child.

What Learning Occurred

Ayah’s new learning pathway this term is

developing more ways to express her
ideas in appropriate ways. She is
establishing a sense of fairness as
teachers use the timer to ensure all
children have the same amount of time
for their turn. Ayah is using her
increasing vocabulary to express her
ideas about fairness in play. She is
developing an understanding of the
needs of other children she is playing
with by giving the toy back when her
turn was finished. Ayah is increasing the
skills she has to play with others as she
shows us how she can communicate her
ideas in an appropriate way. Kaua ma te
waewae Tukituki (persevere with
determination) Ayah!

How can we extend this learning?

We will continue to empower Ayah to

express her ideas in appropriate ways
by talking with her about ways she can
share toys when she plays with others.
You replied as you shook your