From story to discovery
Try it together.
Which move comes first, next and last?
Gather
A little clear space; A grown-up to play with; no objects needed.
Adult setup — read before trying
Sit or stand comfortably together. Agree on three comfortable movements. The pictured sequence is clap, touch both shoulders, then wave.
- Grown-up is the first leader; child watches. Both sit or stand comfortably.
- Leader slowly claps once, touches both shoulders, and waves. Pause between the movements.
- Child tries the same sequence. Saying the actions aloud, watching again or copying alongside is welcome.
- Leader and child repeat together to check the order. There is no score, speed target or required perfect memory.
- Swap: child makes a short sequence of one to three comfortable moves; adult follows.
- Keep the same
- The pictured first round has three actions: clap, touch both shoulders, then wave.
- What changes
- The leader shows one action at a time, the follower tries, then both check together. The child chooses the next sequence.
- Look for
- The pictured sequence is clap, touch both shoulders, then wave. Repeating together lets both players check the order. A different comfortable gesture or pointing to pictures is a valid adaptation.
Make sense of what happened
The pictured sequence is clap, touch both shoulders, then wave. Repeating together lets both players check the order. A different comfortable gesture or pointing to pictures is a valid adaptation.
The three views on page 6 show successive actions, not three characters moving at once. This is shared imitation play, not a memory test. Repeating, copying together or choosing different comfortable gestures all count.
Full grown-up notes, setup details & honest limits
Show one movement at a time. Invite another look whenever wanted, and follow the child’s choices when roles swap.
The three views on page 6 show successive actions, not three characters moving at once. This is shared imitation play, not a memory test. Repeating, copying together or choosing different comfortable gestures all count.
These are authored shared-play examples. Suggested ages and times are starting points, not an assessment or evidence of measured learning outcomes.
A conversation, not a quiz
Leave room for their idea.
Show one movement at a time. Invite another look whenever wanted, and follow the child’s choices when roles swap.
Which move came first?
A cue for the grown-up
Clap in the pictured round. Showing, saying or replaying together all count.
Would another look help?
A cue for the grown-up
Offer a repeat without judging memory. The game can be played by copying simultaneously.
What would you like me to copy now?
A cue for the grown-up
Accept one to three comfortable child-chosen gestures. The adult follows; there is no single right new sequence.
A simple way in
Start with one move and copy at the same time. Sit down, make smaller movements, say the move or direct an adult.
Another thing to notice
Let the child change the order of the same three moves. Use at most three until both players want more.
Come back to it
Try a new pair of gentle gestures another day and change the leader.
For teachers
A small-group discovery.
Flexible 15-minute small-group sequence; prepare materials first and shorten or pause as needed.
Prepare the named materials and adult setup above. One adult-led demonstration is a useful option.
- 3 min
Choose comfortable moves
Sit or stand with space between players. Show a clap, shoulder touch and wave; offer smaller gestures or spoken descriptions.
- 4 min
Watch and try
Show the three moves slowly, one at a time. Invite children to copy, watch again or perform alongside you.
- 5 min
Check and change leaders
Replay together without a score. In pairs, let each child choose one to three comfortable moves for the other player or adult.
- 3 min
Name or show the first
Invite a child to show, say or point out which action came first. Another demonstration is always available.
What to listen for
Invite the child to show or name the first move; replay together if helpful.
Answer guidance
The pictured sequence is clap, touch both shoulders, then wave. Repeating together lets both players check the order. A different comfortable gesture or pointing to pictures is a valid adaptation.
Ways to take part
Accept pointing, gestures, home-language words or directing an adult. Start with one move and copy at the same time. Sit down, make smaller movements, say the move or direct an adult.
Record an observation with a drawing, a gesture described by an adult or a sentence. No timed performance or winning prediction is needed.
All the story words.
Read aloud, enlarge the browser text, or use this text alongside the pictures.
Page 1 · Can you remember Benny’s secret moves?
Can you remember Benny’s secret moves? Kiddos Books · © Kiddos LLC 1 / 7
Picture description: Page 1 of 7. Can you remember Benny’s secret moves? Benny stands on level grass under a leafy forest arch, smiling with both forepaws open toward us.
Page 2 · Grown-up leads. Child watches. First: clap.
Grown-up leads. Child watches. First: clap. Kiddos Books · © Kiddos LLC 2 / 7
Picture description: Page 2 of 7. Grown-up leads. Child watches. First: clap. Benny brings his two forepaws together at chest height in a clap. Three small pale marks emphasize the contact. Both feet stay on the ground.
Page 3 · Next: touch your shoulders.
Next: touch your shoulders. Kiddos Books · © Kiddos LLC 3 / 7
Picture description: Page 3 of 7. Next: touch your shoulders. In a close view, Benny rests one forepaw on each of his own shoulders, with his elbows gently out and arms uncrossed.
Page 4 · Then: give a wave.
Then: give a wave. Kiddos Books · © Kiddos LLC 4 / 7
Picture description: Page 4 of 7. Then: give a wave. Benny stands with both feet on the ground and one forepaw raised in a wave. His other forepaw rests by his side.
Page 5 · Your turn. Another look is welcome.
Your turn. Another look is welcome. Kiddos Books · © Kiddos LLC 5 / 7
Picture description: Page 5 of 7. Your turn. Another look is welcome. Benny sits on a broad low root with both paws on his knees, looking toward us. Open level grass beside him leaves space for our turn.
Page 6 · Clap. Shoulders. Wave. Check together.
Clap. Shoulders. Wave. Check together. Kiddos Books · © Kiddos LLC 6 / 7
Picture description: Page 6 of 7. Clap. Shoulders. Wave. Check together. Three separate views run from top to bottom: Benny claps, touches both of his own shoulders, then waves. The matching word appears beside each action.
Page 7 · Now choose the moves. Grown-up, follow along.
Now choose the moves. Grown-up, follow along. Kiddos Books · © Kiddos LLC 7 / 7
Picture description: Page 7 of 7. Now choose the moves. Grown-up, follow along. Benny stands with both forepaws on his hips and looks toward us, offering a new comfortable pose for the next leader to choose.
Where the explanation comes from.
Related storybooks invite further reading. The factual sources below support the investigation; illustration diagrams simplify what happens.
