Board & Rule-Based
Pre-primary
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Pass the Clap (2-3 min)
1. One clap travels down the row as fast as possible, each child passing it on.
2. Time them.
3.Try the other direction.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Share the games.
2. Wait for your turn.
3. Be kind.
4. Take care of the games
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Match and Play
Age Group
Ages 3-5
Session Intention
Children take turns playing simple matching and sorting games and practise following basic rules.
Materials Needed
• Pyramid Rings (2)
• Alphabet - Big & Small (1)
• Animal Pairs (1)
• Numbers floor puzzle (1)
• Hungry Four Animals (1)
• Caterpillar Clutter (1)
• Pairs - memory game (1)
• Cover the Shadow (1)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6 - children in nearby benches make a group.
2. Hand each group one game.
3. Keep spare games with you to swap in when a group finishes.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
GETTING GROUPS STARTED:
1. Give each group one game.
2. Show them how to begin in under 1 minute, then let them play.
3. The simplest games here are matching and stacking (Animal Pairs, Pyramid Rings, Cover the Shadow).
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Walk between groups. Help any group that is stuck on how to play.
2. Watch for turn-taking - ask children to wait for their turn and praise the children who do it.
3. If a group finishes, swap their game for a new one or ask them to play again, faster.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. A game is too hard - simplify it for the children
2. Arguing about turns - pause and ask - Whose turn is it? - then restart the order.
What You May Notice
1. Children may focus on picking up and examining pieces rather than playing the game correctly. This is fine.
2. Many will want to show you what they do. Take 10 seconds to look at them.
3. Turn-taking is genuinely hard at this age. Expect reminders every few minutes.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Give a two-minute warning. Ask children to help pack pieces into the box.
2. Ask - Did anyone win today? Was it hard to wait for your turn?
3. Hear from 2-3 children.
Try Next Time
1. Let children distribute the games themselves at the start.
2. Ask children to explain the rules to you as if you have never seen the game.