Taking turns talking — sorting cards

Leaving room for the other person's turn · 5–9 · Roo Bloom

How to use these pages

Print all the pages. A4, single sided, at 100% — not “fit to page”.
Cut along the dashed lines to make the cards.
Put the two mats on the table, a bit apart.
Read a card out, or let your child read it, and put it on the mat they choose.
The answer key on the last page is for you. It is not for marking — it is so you have the explanation ready when your child asks why.

Lay the two mats out with a gap. Each card is one thing somebody did with their turn.

GIVES A TURN

Gives them a turn

TAKES THE TURN

Takes the turn

The cards

Cut along the dashed lines

Finn is telling Suri lots about trains.
Finn: “Steam trains need coal and water.”
Finn: “I love this. What do you like?”
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Leo tells Zara about dinosaurs. Zara opens her mouth.
Leo: “T-rex had really tiny arms!”
Leo keeps talking and does not stop.
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
The librarian tells Ines where the space books are.
the librarian: “Aisle four, past the big blue beanbag.”
Ines: “Can you say that again, slower please?”
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Ms Patel asks Omar about his weekend.
Ms Patel: “Omar, what did you do on Sunday?”
Priya: “He went to the pool!”
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Kai is talking. Ruby puts her hand up.
Kai: “My nan has three chickens.”
Kai stops and asks if Ruby wants a turn.
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Lily has been talking about her painting for ages.
Lily: “And then I painted the sky purple.”
Lily keeps going. Omar has not spoken yet.
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Hana and Beau are talking. Eli falls over near them.
Hana: “Then we went to the shops.”
Beau breaks in to say Eli is hurt.
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Ruby asks Eli which cake he likes best.
Ruby: “Which cake do you want, Eli?”
Eli: “The chocolate one. Which one do you want?”
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Mia is halfway through telling Nan about the puppy.
Mia: “The puppy jumped up and then it...”
Nan: “Dinner is ready, everyone!”
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Mum asks Tam about his day in the car.
Mum: “How was school today, Tam?”
Tam: “I'm tired. Can I just listen?”
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Nina asks Beau about his footy game.
Nina: “How did the footy go?”
Nina: “You won, didn't you? Mum told me.”
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom
Dad is chatting at the counter. Sam needs the toilet.
Dad: “We had the same rain up our way.”
Sam cuts in and says he needs to go.
Taking turns talking · Roo Bloom

For grown-ups: what each card is about

Cards marked “either” are the interesting ones. Both answers are defensible and the conversation is the point.

1. GIVES A TURN
Finn said his bit, then made room for Suri.
Say your bit, then ask theirs.
2. TAKES THE TURN
Zara had started to speak. Her words got covered up.
Stop when someone starts to speak. — Pause and say, your turn, Zara.
3. GIVES A TURN
Ines asked for the words again, so now she can follow.
Ask them to say it again.
4. TAKES THE TURN
The question was for Omar. Priya used up his turn.
Let them answer their own question. — Wait and let Omar answer first.
5. GIVES A TURN
Kai saw the hand go up and made room for Ruby.
Watch for a hand going up.
6. TAKES THE TURN
Omar has not had a turn to say anything yet.
Leave a pause for the other person. — Stop and ask Omar what he painted.
7. Either
If someone is hurt, break in now. If it can wait, wait for a pause.
Break in when someone needs help.
8. GIVES A TURN
Eli answered, then passed the question back to Ruby.
Answer, then hand the turn back.
9. TAKES THE TURN
Mia still had more to say. Her sentence got cut.
Let them finish their sentence. — Wait for the end of Mia's sentence.
10. GIVES A TURN
Tam told Mum what he needed. Now Mum can keep talking.
Say what you need out loud.
11. TAKES THE TURN
Nina asked, then filled the gap before Beau could answer.
Ask, then wait for the answer. — Ask once, then count to three.
12. Either
If your body cannot wait, cut in. If it can wait, wait for a pause.
Cut in when your body can't wait.