Aim: To try to get the class to count up to 30 (or the number of children in the class) by keen observation.
Children sit in a circle either on the floor or on chairs.
One person starts by standing & calling one, someone else stands up & calls two & this continues until two people stand & call at the same time, then you start again.
The game is great fun. Remember that you stay standing after you’ve called your number unless the whole class starts again.
Rules: This game is extremely challenging and requires a lot of concentration. Clearly outline to the children that if two people stand up at any time, then the game starts again. Encourage them to be aware of each other’s body language. In some instances, children will attempt different strategies to succeed, such as saying their numbers in a clockwise fashion around the circle. They soon learn this sort of play isn’t much fun and the more sporadic counting -up works a lot better.
Variations: Once the children are playing this game confidently, see how quickly they can complete it by using a timer. They may want to compete against themselves beating their previous time.
