Waiting — sorting cards

Filling the time until your 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 before you cut the cards. Sorting a pile that is already on the table is easier than being handed one card at a time.

EASIER

Makes waiting easier

HARDER

Makes waiting harder

The cards

Cut along the dashed lines

The swing is being used. Ava wants a turn.
Ava: “I want the swing.”
Ava counts the trees while she waits.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Kai's game is loading. The bar moves slowly.
Kai: “Why is it so slow?”
Kai presses the button over and over.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
The queue at the shop is long. Mia feels wobbly.
Mia: “Mum, how many people until us?”
Mum: “Three people. Then it's our turn.”
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Zara needs help with question two. Ms Patel is busy.
Zara: “I'm stuck on this one.”
Zara stops working and holds her hand up.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Dad is still locking the house. Noah waits in the car.
Noah: “My hands feel jumpy.”
Noah squeezes his squishy ball until Dad comes.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Sam is using the tablet. Priya's turn is next.
Priya: “It's been ages!”
Priya pulls the tablet out of Sam's hands.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Dinner is cooking. Omar wants to know when it's ready.
Omar: “Is dinner ready yet?”
Mum: “Ten more minutes.”
Omar asks again every ten seconds.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
The waiting room is loud. Hana's ears hurt.
Hana: “It's too loud in here.”
Dad: “We can wait in the hallway.”
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Nina's birthday is next week. It feels far away.
Nina: “Is it my birthday soon?”
Nan: “Six sleeps. Cross one off each night.”
Waiting · Roo Bloom
The bus is late. Jonah is waiting with Mum.
Jonah: “Where is the bus?”
Jonah steps onto the road to see further.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Eli is telling the class his idea. Ruby has one too.
Ruby: “Mine is about volcanoes!”
Ruby says her idea while Eli is talking.
Waiting · Roo Bloom
Dad is on the phone. Tam needs to tell him something.
Tam: “Dad, I need you now.”
Tam interrupts the phone call.
Waiting · 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. EASIER
Counting gave Ava something to do while the swing was busy.
Count things you can see.
2. HARDER
The game loaded at the same speed. Kai got more stuck.
Do something else while it loads. — Play a finger game until the bar fills.
3. EASIER
Now Mia knows how much waiting is left.
Ask how long is left.
4. HARDER
Nothing else got done and the waiting felt longer.
Do the next thing on the list. — Start question three while your hand is up.
5. EASIER
Holding something gave Noah's hands a job while he waited.
Find something to hold.
6. HARDER
Sam pulled it back, so the turn got further away.
Ask for a timer for your turn. — Ask Mum to set a timer for your turn.
7. Either
Checking once more is fine. Asking every ten seconds makes it harder. If it's urgent, say so straight away.
Ask once, then check the clock.
8. EASIER
Hana said what she needed, so the waiting got quieter.
Say when a room is too loud.
9. EASIER
Crossing off days showed Nina the waiting getting smaller.
Make the waiting something you can see.
10. HARDER
The bus came at the same time, and roads are for cars.
Check the timetable from the footpath. — Check the bus time on Mum's phone.
11. HARDER
Two voices at once, so the teacher heard neither idea.
Wait for the other voice to stop. — Put your hand up and keep the idea ready.
12. Either
If someone is hurt or it's not safe, tell Dad now. If it can wait, wait.
Say straight away if it's urgent.