Over the next several Thursdays, I am going to write about an indoor gross motor activity that supports the physical development of the young child while providing additional opportunities to encourage mathematical thinking.

Simon Says

Simon Says is one of those games that grows as the child grows.  Even two-year olds can play a simplified version of Simon Says, one without consequences, right or wrong, or a set of rigid rules.  This game is exactly like Follow the Leader, but Simon gives verbal directions rather than modeling the action. The rules are simple.  At first, the teacher is Simon.  The teacher gives directions that begin with the words Simon Says and follows with what the children should do.  Once in a while, the teacher gives a direction without preceding it with Simon Says, and the players are supposed to ignore the directions because Simon didn’t say. When children are older, Simon Says becomes a game of elimination, but I wouldn’t play that way during the early years. (Sitting out because you failed at preschool is simply not an option for me.)

When playing with preschoolers, try to include numbers in your directions. “Simon says, jump 3 times.” or “Simon says, stand on one foot.” You can include notions of spatial awareness. “Simon says, walk to the edge of the rug.” or “Simon says, spin in a circle.” You can also include some simple counting. “Simon says, count to 5.” or “Simon says, count our friends.”  The whole game doesn’t have to include math, but some of it can.  It is a natural fit and works well.

Once the children in your group become familiar with the game, be sure to encourage the children to take turns being Simon. The opportunity to give the directions, rather than following them, is quite powerful, so let them try.

It is big enough that children can stand or sit on it, move around on it, or line up on it. The numbers are large and easy-to-read.  Odd numbers are red and even numbers are blue, giving additional context clues to support the children’s concepts.

Begin introducing the mat when children are transitioning from one activity to another. Have each child pull a number out of a basket and go stand on that number.  Make sure the numerals you draw on the cards look exactly like the numbers on the line, so if needed, children can match their numbers easily.

You can also use the number line as a place to play a game like Simon Says.

Simon says, “Everyone find a blue number.”

Simon says, “Move to a red number.”

Simon says, “Change places with one of your friends.”

“Stand on one foot.”

Use the number line like hopscotch. Have the children line up at the zero spot and ask them to jump on each number and call it out as they go.  Switch it up by asking the children to hop on one foot, or to only step on the even (or blue) numbers.

If you have older children in your program, the number line can be used for counting on or taking away.  These skills are much more difficult and I would not recommend introducing them until the children have a strong and developed number sense.

Adding gross motor movement to any activity is more inclusive of learning styles and definitely enhances learning.  Leave this mat out during free choice time and see how the children choose to play with it.  Let us know what you find out.