Change the Game
Pre-primary
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Opposite Day (2-3 min)
1. Children have to do the opposite action of what you say.
2. Example: Children sit when you say stand and stand when you say sit.
3. Play a few rounds.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Share the game.
2. Take turns.
3. Be kind.
4. Use games carefully.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
My New Game!
Age Group
Ages 3-5
Session Intention
Children change something small about a game they already know and see what happens.
Materials Needed
• Jumbo Blocks/Brilliant (1)
• Shape Sorter Cube (4)
• Pyramid Rings (2)
• Super Architect/Lego (2)
• Jodo Blocks (1)
• Mechanix Basic (1)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6 from nearby benches.
2. Give each group a familiar material they have used before.
3. Children work at benches or in the space between benches.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
THE PROCESS:
1.Give each group a game and let them play for 5 - 10 minutes.
2. Ask groups to change one thing about the game. Example: Put the big ring on top in pyramid rings.
3. Play the changed version for 10+ minutes.
4. Try another change if time allows.
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Celebrate every change - Ooh, a new rule! Let's see what happens.
2. If a group is stuck for a change - Suggest a change. Example: Play in slow motion.
3. If a change breaks the game - Ask the children why and get them to think of a new change.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. Upset that it doesn't work - That's how inventing works. Try one more thing.
2. Copying another group - Make yours even more different.
What You May Notice
1. Young children may just repeat what they did before with slight variations. That counts.
2. The concept of changing a rule can be abstract. Use concrete, physical examples.
3. Expect lots of laughter when the changed versions do not work.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Call out time remaining and ask groups to show their games.
2. Each group demonstrates their change in 1 minute.
3. Ask groups to give their changed games a name.
4. Ask the children to pack all materials properly.
Try Next Time
1. Let children try each other's changed version.
2. Ask children to draw their new game rule.
3. Try changing a different material next time.