How do I teach my toddler to wait?

Start with short waits and build up, show the wait with a timer or a first/then board, and practice waiting through play.

What helps a child see how long a wait is?

Visual tools like sand timers, countdown clocks and visual schedules, the Watson Institute suggests.

Is there a waiting my turn social story?

Tella makes one starring your child, at the real waits in their day, ready the same day on your phone, tablet or TV.

All situations

How to teach a child to wait their turn

Start with short waits, make the wait something they can see, and practice through play.

Custom story for Nina

Nina wants a turn on the big slide, and Abuelo shows her a way to wait: counting, a song, and watching for her turn.

Counting Down to the Big Slide

Story created for Nina

The Watson Institute suggests starting with short waits and building up as your child's patience grows, using visual tools like sand timers, countdown clocks, first/then boards and visual schedules so they can see time pass, and practicing waiting through play.

Watching the timer or humming a song is a replacement behavior, something your child does instead of grabbing or pushing ahead, and it starts with listening for "wait" and "your turn."

A social story is one way to practice: your child sees themselves wait, watch the timer, and then take their turn. That's why Tella is built so the story uses the real waits in your child's day, like the slide at the park or the line at the store.

A waiting my turn social story starring your child

Here's how Nina's story goes.

There's a line for the big slide, so Nina has to wait.
Abuelo kneels down and offers a way to wait.
Nina counts the kids ahead of her on her fingers.
Her turn comes, and Abuelo tells her how patiently she waited.

Watch Nina’s whole story

Questions parents ask

How do I teach my toddler to wait?: Start with short waits and build up, show the wait with a timer or a first/then board, and practice waiting through play.
What helps a child see how long a wait is?: Visual tools like sand timers, countdown clocks and visual schedules, the Watson Institute suggests.
Is there a waiting my turn social story?: Tella makes one starring your child, at the real waits in their day, ready the same day on your phone, tablet or TV.

Questions parents ask about Tella

Is it more screen time?: You watch it together, and it's about a real day in your child's life. No feed, and every story has an ending.
Is it safe?: No photo needed. See what we keep and who sees it.
Is it really about my child?: Every scene shows your child and your family, not a name dropped into a template.
What does it cost?: Your first story is free. No card needed.
Why not just ask ChatGPT?: See how a Tella story compares.

Updated November 9, 2026.

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