Barrier Games
To develop precise descriptive language by giving and following instructions when a barrier hides the speaker's picture or arrangement.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Communication & Language
- Learning area: Communication and Language
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Gives simple placement instructions
- Follows verbal directions without seeing
- Uses positional language
- Checks outcomes and adjusts language
Materials
- Small folding screen or large book as barrier
- Identical sets of coloured blocks or shapes
- Simple picture cards
Instructions
Start very simply with just two blocks: 'Put the red block on the table. Now put the blue block on top.' The other child copies without seeing.
Model clear describing: 'I need to tell you exactly what I see. I see a yellow circle at the top. Can you put a yellow circle at the top of your paper?'
When they lift the barrier to compare: 'Look! They match! Your instructions were so clear!' Or: 'Nearly the same! What's different? How could we make it clearer?'
This is challenging for 2-3s—keep it very simple with just two or three objects and lots of adult support.