Monkey See, Monkey Do—But in Sequence

A ‘show and do’ game in which everyone gets a turn in the spotlight.

Objectives

Children ages 4-5 can follow a sequence of motor acts when language is not used Lang. IIB
and ages 2 ½-4 can perform gross motor activates demonstrated such as hop, jump, and walk GM IX
All children participating can accept other’s ideas and directions for play SE IV

 

Materials

None

Procedures

1. Have children sit in a circle on floor. Tell them that they each will have a chance to be the teacher and will take turns leading the group.

2. Choose the first child and have him/her stand in the center of the circle.

Ask this child to do one action, e.g., fly like a bird, hop like a rabbit, etc.

The group then imitates leader's action.

3. If children easily remember one action, have next child leader do two actions. Tell the group they must follow the leader exactly (do the actions in sequence).

4. Try to maintain the younger child's attention by focusing him visually on the child in the center and then "walking through" the activity with him, holding his hand.

5. Repeat procedure with three actions. Any actions will be appropriate as long as the child stays inside the circle of other children. Make sure the leader completes the sequence before the group models it. You could use a signal to show the sequence is through so the others can begin the 3-step imitation.