Copy Cat Games
To develop social reciprocity and imitation skills through copying games.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Personal, Social & Emotional
- Learning area: Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Imitates adult actions
- Initiates copying games
- Shows delight in shared games
- Copies peer actions
Materials
- Open floor space
- Simple props
- Mirrors
- Rattles and sound makers
Instructions
COPYING BABY FIRST: Start by imitating what the baby does. If they bang the table, you bang too. If they make a sound, copy it. This shows them their actions have impact and are valued.
ADDING ACTIONS: Once baby notices you copying, introduce simple actions for them to copy: clapping, waving, touching nose. 'Can you do this? Clap, clap, clap!' Celebrate attempts.
BUILDING SEQUENCES: As babies become skilled copiers, create simple sequences: clap then stamp, wave then blow a kiss. This builds memory and social attention.
INVOLVING PEERS: As babies approach two, facilitate copying between children: 'Look, Mia is jumping! Can you jump too? You're both jumping!'