Do This Then That!

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Your Child Will Learn

To listen to, remember and follow 3-4 step directions.

Here’s What to Do

  1. Create three-step directions for your child to follow; get silly and have fun with this!
  2. Preface each command with “do this…then that…then that…” as you model the multi-step directions. Example: Say “do this” while tapping your nose and say “then that” while marching in place and “then that” when spinning in a circle.
  3. Try not to repeat the directions; instead encourage your child to remember all three steps on their own.
  4. If your child is successfully remembering 3-step directions, try 4-step directions (do this, then that, then that, then that).

Put PEER Into Action

PAUSE

  • Wiggle, shake, and stretch your bodies to warm up for the game.  Say “are we ready to play?”

ENGAGE

  • “Can you do this (hop on one foot), then that (stick out your tongue), then that (raise arms up to the sky)?”
  • “Can you remember what comes next?”

ENCOURAGE

  • “Awesome remembering and direction following!”
  • “Oops! There was something that comes between the jump and the spin. Do you need me to repeat the three steps again?”

REFLECT

  • Ask your child if it’s tricky or easy to remember 3 steps in a row.

Not Quite Ready

Play the game with two-step directions instead.

Ready for More

Play the game with five-step directions, or make the directions more complicated (wave your right hand, take 2 steps forward, etc.).

As Your Child Masters This Skill

They will be able to remember and follow 3-4 directions.

Time to Complete

10 minutes

Materials Needed

None


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