Conditional action caller
Act only when a call starts with the agreed phrase, then reset for the next call.
Kindergarten · about 4–6 · Logic & rule checking · Rhythm & movement · Cooperation & communication
- Players
- 4–6 per group
- Plan for
- 6–10 minutes
- Bring
- No equipment. Optional one caller script per adult and one observation sheet per group.
30 children: six groups of five, one adult leads the same eight calls for all groups.
Prepare
Agree the exact prefix “Leader says”. Choose four comfortable actions: hands on head, open palms, touch shoulders, hands on lap. Seated actions are valid. Demonstrate a prefixed and an unprefixed call without tricking anyone.
Play
Read one call, pause three seconds, and ask whether the prefix occurred. With the prefix, do the named action once; without it, keep the previous position. Say “Reset” between calls; reset is an administrative cue, not a challenge call. Nobody leaves the game after an error.
Example
“Leader says open palms” means open palms. “Touch shoulders” means stay still. Reset, then “Leader says hands on lap” means hands on lap. The adult keeps their own hands still so imitation is not the answer.
Finish and cooperation
Complete eight calls, then let children explain one decision or pass. Shared success is correctly explaining one prefixed and one unprefixed call; no speed score or elimination.
Adapt
Begin with two actions and five-second pauses. An adult may read the printed prefix while pointing to it. Children may indicate a choice verbally or with a comfortable movement.
Purpose and provenance
Activity aim: Act only when a call starts with the agreed phrase, then reset for the next call.
Practice opportunities: Listening for a condition before responding; pausing and restarting together.
What adults can observe: Notice whether the child uses the prefix, rather than the adult’s gesture, to decide. Offer slower spoken or printed cues.
Mechanism and our adaptation: PartyPageKit classroom adaptation of a common activity mechanism. The earliest inventor has not been established; the linked references are identified separately by the editor.
Reference: Playworks — Simon Says — Related prefix-gated movement rule; our eight-call seated option removes elimination and consequences.
These are planning aims and observable actions, not measured lasting gains. The reference is not an endorsement or a test of our adaptation.
Free material alternatives: Read calls from used-paper backs; no printing is necessary.
Buying links: reserved; no purchase is required.
Printable materials
Preview at 100% scale, with browser headers and footers off. Cut with suitable help. Keep host keys separate. Use only the pages needed for the chosen version; oral and movement activities may need no printing.
Optional adult caller script
No printing or equipment is required. Read each challenge once, wait three seconds, then say “Reset”. Reset is not a challenge. Keep your hands still. Nothing is scored and no one leaves.
| Call | Adult reminder |
|---|---|
| Leader says hands on head | Read; pause; reset |
| Open palms | Read; pause; reset |
| Leader says open palms | Read; pause; reset |
| Touch shoulders | Read; pause; reset |
| Leader says touch shoulders | Read; pause; reset |
| Hands on lap | Read; pause; reset |
| Leader says hands on lap | Read; pause; reset |
| Hands on head | Read; pause; reset |
Optional group observation · not a ranking
| Call number | What prefix was heard? | Child explanation / pass |
|---|---|---|
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ |
Teacher instructions and key · keep separate
30 children: six groups of five, one adult leads the same eight calls for all groups.
No equipment. Optional one caller script per adult and one observation sheet per group.
Read calls from used-paper backs; no printing is necessary.
Preview one copy. Print only required player pages; keep this teacher page out of player packets. Give children the choice to watch, pause or use the described adaptation. These are activity practice opportunities, not measured developmental outcomes.
| Call | Expected response before reset |
|---|---|
| 1 | Act |
| 2 | Hold |
| 3 | Act |
| 4 | Hold |
| 5 | Act |
| 6 | Hold |
| 7 | Act |
| 8 | Hold |