B a r b a r a s h e r I l L u s t r a t I o n s b y r a L p h

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Attention Games
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⽧ Puppets can also be made out of
small paper bags. This is good if you and
yours are in a crayoning mood and want
to draw the puppet’s facial details.
W
H A T
’
S
B
E I N G
L
E A R N E D
Children are learning to focus their
attention by concentrating on decorat-
ing the potato.
Their creativity is also being stimulated
when they choose how their potato will look
and how they will act in the play.
Sensory Matching
Paying attention to the world means noticing details and seeing patterns in
things. To help encourage this awareness, we can teach children to notice
the many ways things are similar and different from each other. In this
game, objects are distinguished by texture and smell, but there are many
other ways that kids can be encouraged to notice details.
Because this game takes a bit of preparation, your child can gain dou-
bly from it by helping you prepare.
T
Y P E S O F
A
T T E N T I O N
E
N C O U R A G E D
Open and focused
M
A T E R I A L S
Common household items or fabrics of different textures (see individ-
ual activities)
Index cards, heavy paper, or light cardboard
Games for 6- to 12-Year-Olds
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D
I R E C T I O N S
Texture Matching
Gather up pairs of lightweight objects, such as cotton balls, pieces of wax
paper, pieces of sandpaper, macaroni noodles, pieces of cellophane, rubber
bands, pieces of sponge, scraps of fabric, pennies, straws, and so on. Or you
might want to use just different textures of fabrics instead of household
objects.
Glue each item on a index card so that you end up with two identical
sets of cards.
Place one set of cards in front of the player. You keep the other set.
Blindfold the player or have her put her hands behind her back; have her
feel one card. “Which card on the table is the same as the one you are feel-
ing? Is it card number 1, card number 2, or card number 3?”
If the child is having difficulty, make sure that the differences are not
subtle at first; for example, have her distinguish between a cotton ball and
a piece of macaroni, or between a piece of sandpaper and a piece of velvet.
It’s even okay if she needs a “teeny peek.” This is a game, after all.
If the child guesses correctly, give her a joyous high five and up the chal-
lenge by being increasingly subtle—now comparing a penny and a dime or
corduroy and denim, for example.
Smell Matching
Make scratch-and-sniff cards by first mixing a scent, such as cinnamon,
cloves, perfume, vanilla or other extract, garlic powder, pencil shavings,
soap, or essential oils, with a texture, such as sand, salt, or glitter. Paint some
glue on a card and pour on the scented texture. Make two cards of each
scent so that you have two sets. Let the cards dry, and shake off the excess.
Have the players rub or scratch each of the cards and find the card with
the matching scent.