Mr Wolf Chase
What you need
- a clear stretch of floor space or grass
How to do it
- You're the wolf: stand at one end with your back to your child, who stands at the other end.
- They call "What's the time, Mr Wolf?" and you answer with a time, like "Three o'clock!"
- They take that many steps towards you, counting out loud, and ask again.
- Whenever you choose, turn and growl "Time to catch you!" and they run back to the start before you catch them. Then swap.
Why it matters
Each answer is a number to step out, so they count with their feet while waiting for the growl.
What they're learning
- Counting steps
- One step for each number.
- Waiting for the call
- Listening before running.
- Quick turn
- Spinning round and running back.
What to look for
Notice them stopping on the right number, even with the wolf close.
A tip
Play where there's room to run back without hitting furniture, and keep the wolf slow and silly.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: small numbers only, one to three, and a slow, giggly chase
Harder: say the kind of step too: three giant steps, two tiny steps, one jump
