Passing the Crackers
Parent guides child through a snack-sharing activity using crackers and plates, helping normalize sharing with others. The agent coaches the parent to observe the child's understanding of ownership, ability to express preferences, and goal-setting during a practical sharing task — building social-emotional skills through everyday routines.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Parent and child seated together at a table. Packet of crackers and 3-4 small plates within reach. Child should be alert and not overly hungry. Environment should be calm with minimal distractions.
How it works
- 1~45s
Start by having your child close their eyes and extend both hands. Place the whole packet of crackers in one hand and just a single cracker in the other. Ask your child: 'Which hand feels heavier? Why do you think that is? What might be in each hand?' Give your child time to think and respond. Then have them open their eyes to discover the difference. Watch how your child reacts to seeing that many crackers are heavier than one. Does they show understanding that the packet belongs to everyone while the single cracker could be just for them?
Watch for: Child demonstrates understanding of ownership concepts — distinguishing between shared resources (packet) and individual items (single cracker).
- 2~50s
Now invite your child to help make small piles of crackers on the plates — about four crackers per plate. As you work together, ask your child questions about the process: 'How many plates should we use? Who should get crackers? Which plate looks nicest to you?' Listen carefully to how your child expresses their thoughts and preferences. Does they talk about what they finds interesting in this task? Does they share opinions about how to arrange the crackers or who should receive them?
Watch for: Child verbally expresses personal interests, preferences, and opinions during the sharing activity.
- 3~55s
Now introduce a goal-setting element. Say to your child: 'Let's make a plan for sharing these crackers. What's our goal? How many people should get crackers? How will we make sure everyone feels included?' Observe how your child approaches this planning. Does they set a clear goal? Does they think through steps to achieve it? Watch for persistence — if the first plan doesn't work perfectly, does your child adjust and try again?
Watch for: Child sets personal goals related to sharing and demonstrates persistence in working toward them.