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Freeze and Plan Movement

Child moves freely, freezes on a cue, and must say their next planned move before continuing, exercising inhibition and planning.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Freeze and Plan Movement.
  • Age3 to 6 years
  • Time5 to 15 minutes
  • EnergyActive
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors or out
  • PrepNone

A movement game where your child moves freely, stops dead when you call "freeze," and has to say what they will do next before they start moving again. Stopping and naming the plan are what make it more than just running around.

How to do it

  1. Clear a space about 2 to 3 metres across where your child can move safely without bumping furniture.
  2. Let your child move however they like (running, hopping, dancing) for 10 to 20 seconds.
  3. Call "freeze." They stop still wherever they are.
  4. Before they move again, ask what their next move will be. They say it ("I'm going to hop"), then do that move.
  5. Repeat for several rounds, ending with a slow move such as tiptoeing to wind down.

What you need

  • Clear space

Make it yours

Younger, 3-4 years: Drop the say-your-move step at first and just play freeze; add the naming once stopping is easy. Older, 5-6 years: Ask them to plan two moves in a row, or freeze in a specific shape. Siblings: Take turns being the one who calls "freeze."

Try this with your child.

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