Grab Two Give One

Competition for an object can become initiating play with a peer.

Learning Seeds Engagement Strategies

Learning Seeds helps you guide early learners toward engagement.

What We Do

More Resources for Educators and Caring Adults

Challenging Moment: When a child wants to get a toy or object, and a peer wants the same object.

A Strategy to Try: Grab 2, Give 1

Hand the child two other objects (one for each hand), and provide a binary choice, "Which one will you give to your peer?"

What Happens: The child...

  • has a concrete way to start an interaction with matching objects.

  • learns a physical (vs verbal) method of initiating play. This is particularly helpful for a child who is resistant or struggles to use verbal communication with peers.

  • may experience social motivations as a result of being exposed to modeling and their shared interest in the matching objects.

When children's hands are both full they are less likely to swat, grab, or push away a peer who wants the same toy.

To discuss how Learning Seeds can support you and the children in your care, please reach out to schedule a call with us.