Copy Cat
Here's What To Do
1
Tell your child you will play a game where they will copy your movement pattern. “Copy Cat, Copy Cat, copy me wiggle-wiggle-freeze, wiggle-wiggle-freeze, wiggle-wiggle-freeze.”
2
Reset and say “Let’s try another movement pattern. Copy Cat, Copy Cat, copy me spin and jump, spin and jump, spin and jump.”
3
Invite your child to make other simple movement patterns with you. For example, clap-clap-stomp, clap-clap-stomp, clap-clap-stomp. Don’t forget to start each new movement with “Copy Cat, Copy Cat, copy me.”
4
Repeat a few times.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Take two cleansing breaths and shake out your hands and legs together.
E
Engage:
- “Our pattern says wiggle-wiggle-freeze, wiggle-wiggle-freeze, what comes next?”
- “Let’s try and change one of the movements in the pattern and see what happens.”
E
Encourage:
- “Let’s try this movement pattern once more but this time let’s slow it down.”
- “I like how you are concentrating on each movement as I call it out, keep going, you are doing so well!”
R
Reflect:
- “What was the hardest movement pattern you tried today?”
Not quite ready?
Repeat the movement pattern more slowly and repeat as needed.
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to make their own pattern. Or add a fourth movement to the pattern.
As your child masters this skill...
They will know what comes next in a three movement pattern.