Follow My Moves
What you need
- open floor space
How to do it
- Stand facing your toddler and say 'copy me!'
- Do a big move, like stretching tall, stomping, or spinning slowly.
- Let them copy it, then swap so they lead and you copy them.
- Keep swapping the leader every few moves.
Why it matters
Copying a sequence of big movements builds body awareness and the back-and-forth turn-taking that later shows up in conversation and games.
What they're learning
- body awareness
- Copying a stretch or a stomp teaches them where their own limbs are in space, a skill behind getting dressed and using stairs.
- leading and following
- Taking turns to lead builds confidence in directing others, useful later for group play and sharing ideas.
- visual imitation
- Watching an action and reproducing it is the same skill they'll use to learn from other children at nursery.
What to look for
Watch for them waiting for your move before copying, rather than freelancing their own.
A tip
Let them be the leader more often than you, being in charge of the game keeps them hooked.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: stick to one simple move like stomping the whole time
Harder: chain two moves together, like stretch then spin
