While working on some posts for kindergarten readiness activities with rocks, I found a video of a little boy playing Rock, Paper, Scissors all by himself. Each hand would choose something at more or less the same time. If his 2 hands came up with the same item, he just adjusted the choice. In any case, he really has to do a lot of quick thinking and concentrating as he plays.
For most young kids rock, paper, scissors is too competitive but here is another hand game that wee ones can enjoy. First, you put one hand flat on a table, then your child puts one hand on top of yours. Next, your hand, and your child puts a hand on the very top. Now, carefully slide your bottom hand out and put it on top. Then, your child slides out his/her bottom hand and put it on the top. As the hands get coordinated, try going faster and faster. Usually, the hands get all out of sequence and the game turns into giggles. This “your hand, my hand” switching is a very early game to teach taking turns and to practice focus and concentration. Children love to play, for short bits of time. For even more fun, try it with 3 or 4 people. Then it gets really complicated. Brains can’t keep up with hands.
There are other hand games, like clapping patterns or even Patty-Cake. This second video shows 2 little ones learning to coordinate together. What a lot of learning as kids remember the words and actions, and watch each other for cues. Rhythm is part of the learning and adds to the social interaction and kindergarten readiness. Do you and your child play hand games