Listen for the Code

Purpose: Encourage listening skills, following motor commands and left right directions.

Materials: small object i.e. toy car, small doll, etc.

Activity:
Before you start establish what the movement pattern will be.  Try to write it down so the children can refer to it if necessary.  For example a pattern could be the following:

  • clap one time to move forward
  • clap two times to turn to the right
  • clap three times to turn to the left
  • slap knee one time to move backwards

Pick one child to be “it”.  This child will have to listen to a pattern to determine where to go to find a missing object. The child needs to close his/her eyes while someone in the group hides the object away from the child who is “it”.

Make sure all the children keep calm during the game since it does take some concentration.

Once the object is hidden, the child who is “it” can open his/her eyes.  Now the group must direct the child to the hidden object only using the established code.  No talking allowed.  You can have them take turns to clap out commands or agree to the code and then all clap together.   Once the child finds the hidden object take turns letting the other children be “it”.  Try changing the code every few rounds.

Want to make it harder?:  Play music in the background so the child has to filter out the background noise and concentrate only on the established code.  Blindfold the child and they have to feel for the hidden object.

Want to make it easier?  Limit the code to very simple directions – clap once to move forward and clap twice to move backwards.  Use verbal directions for right and left.