Have you tried having students play Left Hand against Right Hand? This is a very effective way to allow students to play partner games by themselves. It can also help to reduce screentime and give children a way to engage themselves.
It is especially useful during the pandemic as well as when students finish assignments early. You don’t need to give up having students play partner games. This strategy works for Kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third, fourth – any grade level. It works at school and at home.
Any game meant to be played with another person can be played alone without feeling alone!
I’ve frequently had parents ask about this as well:
“My child’s teacher sent home some fun games for me to play with her. But, I’m working from home. I don’t have time to stop my work and play with her. Her older brother has his own work to do and doesn’t want to play with her. What can I do?”
ANSWER:
Independent Game Play = Left Hand Against Right Hand
Sometimes there isn’t a partner to play with. In my first grade and second grade classrooms, we frequently played Left Hand vs. Right Hand. This allowed children to play games by themselves.
HOW IT WORKS:
Play the game as per instructions except that the right hand plays for one player and the left hand plays for the other player.
Your child may even give their hands names. My kids did. 😊
For example, when it’s the first player’s turn, “Luke” (right hand) moves and follows directions. When it’s the next player’s turn, “Grace” (left hand) moves and follows directions. Remember that when it’s Luke’s turn, everything is done with the right hand and when it’s Grace’s turn, everything is done with the left hand.
Kids love this and have as much fun playing with their right and left hands as they do with a partner. ❤️
“I WANT MY RIGHT HAND TO WIN!”
Since most children are right-handed, playing with their left hand is challenging and keeps them engaged and having fun. If you ask them which “player” they hope will win, it is almost always their right hand.
I hope you’ll try out 👉Left Hand vs. Right Hand👈. It’s a great way to keep your students playing games when they need to play by themselves.
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Thanks! And as always,
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