- By Isaac
- Van Wesep
Show Some Spirit! : Strengthening Executive Function and Leadership Skills
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families.
Strengthen those cognitive flexibility skills in a game with real characters! Your child’s favorite animals stop by to engage in an alternate take on “Follow the Leader”. They must choose whether or not to follow each mascot’s requests based on the rules presented.
Objective: This activity helps children practice how to remember and follow rules, as well as switch between different sets of rules. Your child will engage creatively with this activity by choosing how they would like their favorite animal to be represented.
Executive Function Skills Practiced:
- Working Memory: Children utilize their working memory to respond (or not respond!) based on which of their mascots (For example: Lizard or Owl) is in play.
- Inhibitory Control: All levels of play keep children focused on responding appropriately to the commands from each mascot. Children are encouraged to stay still and only imitate the actions of the mascot they have been told to follow.
- Cognitive Flexibility: In higher levels of the game, children must switch between sets of rules when the mascots change roles with little or no modeling.
Duration: 10 – 15 Minutes
Environment: Anywhere with space to move!
Materials List:
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Crayons, Markers, Pencils
- Just about anything your child can use to create their favorite animals!
Game Levels and Step-by-Step Instructions
- Before you begin, have your child choose two very different animals that they really like. Have them create an image for each animal. These two pictures will be their competing mascots!
- Lizard and Owl can be substituted by any other two distinctly different animals– Give your child the choice but make sure they can tell one from the other!
- For the first round, choose the right level of play based on your child’s age.
- Consider providing visual cues if your child has difficulty switching between rules.
- Model correct responses to set your child up for success!
Before you play, say:
“This is your friend Owl! Owl knows that you are a REALLY good listener and she came to play a game with us! She’s going to tell you silly things to do and you are going to move your body the way Owl tells you to. Sometimes it can be hard to keep your body from wiggling and moving around, so for this game, you are going to hide your hands behind your back or clasp your hands together to help you remember to stay still and focus on listening to Owl.”
- Game Level 1 – Sit and Follow Owl: (2-3 years)
- Have your child sit facing you.
- Hold up their Owl mascot and explain the game rules.
- Have Owl lead your child through actions, and let your child imitate.
- Encourage your child to hide their hands behind their back or clasp them together to help them remember to stay still and focus when listening to Owl.
- Game Level 2 – Sit and Don’t Follow Lizard: (3-4 years)
- Have your child sit facing you.
- Introduce their Lizard mascot and explain the game rules.
- Have Lizard lead your child through actions, but remind your child not to imitate.
- Remind your child not to listen to Lizard and to stay still while playing.
- Game Level 3 – Alternate Owl and Lizard (with modeling): (4-5 years)
- Have your child stand facing you.
- Introduce both Owl and Lizard and clarify when to follow each mascot’s commands.
- Ensure that your child understands the rules and which mascot commands to follow.
- Conduct rounds with both Owl and Lizard, while modeling correct responses for your child.
- Game Level 4 – Alternate Owl and Lizard (no modeling): (5+ years)
- Repeat Level 3 but without adult modeling, making it more challenging.
- Encourage your child to remember the rules and control their impulses during the Lizard’s turn.
- Game Level 5 – Follow Lizard NOT Owl (5+ years)
- Have your child follow Lizard’s commands and remain still during Owl’s commands.
- Remind them of the rule reversal and ensure they understand.
Talk & Reflect:
At the end of each activity, discuss with your child what they found challenging and what strategies helped them. Encourage them to reflect on their experience.
“What part of the game was the hardest for you? What part was the easiest?”
Additional Ideas & Resources:
- Try the activity at different times of the day and in various settings to keep it engaging.
- Turn the activity into group playtime! Be sure there is enough floor space for all children to sit or stand and imitate the characters.
- Let older children take turns leading the game.
