Lead the play
Grades 1-2
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
You Lead, We Follow
Age Group
Ages 6-8
Session Intention
Children take turns leading familiar class games and start feeling comfortable organising their peers.
Materials Needed
• Snakes & Ladders (2)
• Ludo (2)
• Pajama Party (1)
• Bus Stop/Shopping List/Catch and Count/Number Bears (1)
• Memory Skills/Mind power (1)
• Jenga (1)
• Dog and the bone (1)
• Oranges & Lemons (1)
• Cover the Shadow (1)
• Pairs - memory game (1)
Classroom Arrangement
1. No special setup. Use familiar games.
2. Make groups of 4-6.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
1. Explain that children will lead some of the class games today.
2. Tell children that leaders will explain the game and help others play.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Listen when someone is leading.
2. Give everyone a chance.
3. Help others join the game.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
START PLAY:
1. Ask children to suggest familiar games the class has played before.
Example Games: Bholu Says, Secret Leader, Pass the Action, Zip Zap Zop.
2. Select 2–3 games.
3. Invite a different child volunteer to lead each game.
4. The child leader explains the game and starts play.
5. After 5–7 minutes, invite a new leader and switch games.
6. If time remains, ask several children to form groups in the class and distribute games to each group to play.
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Allow child leaders to explain rules in their own words.
2. Support only when instructions are unclear.
3. Encourage leaders to include everyone.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. If rules are forgotten, help the leader explain them again.
2. If only a few children volunteer, encourage different children to lead.
What You May Notice
1. Some children will be confident natural leaders.
2. Others will lead very quietly and uncertainly. Affirm this just as much as confident leadership.
3. Children are often stricter rule-enforcers than adults. That is part of the learning.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Gather the class and ask children which games were led by their classmates today.
2. Ask 2-3 children to share what they enjoyed about being a leader or player.
3. Ask children what helped a leader explain a game clearly.
4. Appreciate children for leading games.
5. Pack up the materials if used.
Try Next Time
1. Give all children a chance to lead across multiple sessions.
2. Ask child-leaders to give a short debrief after their game.
3. Pair two children as co-leaders for one game.