Simon Says can help your child learn about rules and following directions in a fun way.

Materials:

• Room for children to move around freely

Directions:

You can play this game with one child or with many children. Ask the children to stand and keep a safe distance from each other. Explain to the children that you are going to give them commands and that they are to follow the command only if you say Simon Says before you give it. Tell the children that if you give a command, but do not say Simon Says first, they are to stand still. Tell the children the point of the game is to follow directions only when they hear the words Simon Says.

To begin, act as the leader and give the children simple directions, such as Simon Says,

• Touch your toes.
• Stick out your tongue.
• Pat your knees.
• Blink your eyes.

As your child gets better at the game, make the directions more difficult. For example, you could say Simon Says,

• Put your finger on your knee.
• Touch your elbow to the floor.
• Stand on one foot.
• Place your hands over your ears.

You might even want to use Simon Says in every day ways when you're getting ready for school or mealtime.

Back to Theme