Follow my leader
(Pre-school and Reception)
Children love to copy adults and 'follow my leader' is the perfect game for this.
It is a great way to encourage your child to complete a walk. You can use it to help your child learn new physical skills and follow instructions.
You will need
You don't need any resources for this game – some of the most fun activities don’t require resources, you are enough!
What to do
Ask your child or children to line up behind you. You take the lead asking them to follow where you go and follow your actions.
Use this game as an opportunity to practise old skills by choosing things your child already knows how to do. This will also give your child a feeling of confidence and success.
Introduce new skills your child hasn't mastered yet alongside skills your child is more confident with.
Here are some ideas to help keep the game interesting and more challenging:
- clap
- crawl
- walk
- run
- hop
- skip
- jump
- gallop
- march
- spin
- twist
- walk on tiptoe
- stomp
- roll
- fly like an airplane
- crawl sideways like a crab
Swap over and let your child be the leader.
Follow my leader can be enjoyed both inside and outside. Outside allows your child to be more physical. However, you can also have lots of fun playing this game around the home!
Skills your child will learn
You are building your child's vocabulary. Your child will learn the names of action verbs such as hop, skip, jump, gallop, march, spin, and twist.
They will gain physical skills in doing the actions too.
Remember that skills take time to develop, and this game is a great way to practise these physical skills while having fun together!