Barrier Game:
Sea Animals
A few weeks ago I talked to you about the Barrier Games, which are very fun games that can be used to exercise children’s understanding, use of language, and social skills.
We discussed how to play, and I gave you some tips to create your own Barrier game using your imagination and following the interests of your child.
But many of you have asked me if I could share practical examples to introduce your children to these games, and that’s exactly what I want to do today! I have created a version of Barrier Game to use with your child.
Contact me here to download the PDF version of the Barrier Game with Sea Animals for free!
Let’s find out how to play!
This game in the PDF version contains two Barrier Games that you can use with your child. Both were created with the theme of “Sea Animals”, and contain a table with 12 sea animals.
One of these versions is a colour-in version, and is considered the simpler version, suitable for younger children.
The second version is in the coloured version, and introduces more complex concepts, so it is possible to use it with older children.
How do I choose which one to use?
You can use both, but I advise you to use one that is not too difficult for your child to avoid the risk of demotivating him / her.
Use the color-in version if your child knows:
- Colors
- Body parts (back, belly)
- The names of the sea animals
Use the already colored version if your child knows:
- Geometric shapes
- Prepositions
- The names of the sea animals
What do I do if my child does not know one or more of the concepts needed to play the Sea Animal Barrier Game?
Through this resource, you can teach your child the concepts they don’t know, before they play the real Barrier Game.
For example, if your child does not know all the names of the animals represented, you can teach them by pointing to the pictures and saying their name.
Then you could color with him by saying the name of the color you are using and the name of the animal you are coloring.
As for the shapes, you could draw the various shapes for them and teach them their name.
For prepositions, try teaching them with practical examples, for example teaching them the word “Under” by putting a pen under something, “Above” by putting it on top of something and so on.
Once your child has mastered the concepts needed to play the Barrier Game, it is possible to consolidate the knowledge just by playing!
Color-in Version
Here is the version of the Barrier Game of the Sea Animals to color (I suggest you download it in PDF version by contacting me here so you can print it)
Before you begin: advice for parents
- Download the PDF and print two copies of the table with the animals to color and a copy of the “Instruction List”.
- Get the same colored markers for you and your child (the necessary colors are red, orange, gray, light blue, blue, pink, green, brown, purple).
- Place a barrier (an open book, a whiteboard, etc.) between your paper and your child’s paper.
- Read the instructions in the instruction list to your child, you both have to do them, and after you finish each instruction, lift the sheet or remove the barrier to check if you have done the same thing.
- In case your child has made a mistake, repeat the instruction and explain again what they should have done (please note – always in a cheerful and playful way)
- For example, if they color the starfish yellow instead of red, repeat the instruction, ask them what color he/she colored it and show him which color they should have used.
- It is not necessary to follow all 10 instructions, which are just an idea.
- Take turns your child, the first turn you read the instruction from the list and you both do it, the next turn your child can invent an instruction and you both have to follow what he/she says.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Color the fish red.
- Color the crab orange.
- Color the dolphin gray or light blue.
- Color the whale’s back blue and its belly pink.
- Color the starfish red.
- Color the seahorse green.
- Color the jellyfish pink.
- Color the turtle’s shell brown.
- Color the shark’s back blue and the squid pink.
- Color the octopus purple and the seal gray.
Colored version
Here is the color version of the Sea Animals Barrier Game (I suggest you download it in PDF version by contacting me here so you can print it)
Before you begin: advice for parents
- Download the PDF and print two copies of the colored chart with animals and one copy of the “Instruction List”.
- Get two pencils and two erasers, one for you and one for your child.
- Place a barrier (an open book, a whiteboard, etc.) between your paper and your child’s paper.
- Read the instructions in the instruction list to your child, you both have to do them, and after you finish each instruction, lift the sheet or remove the barrier to check if you have done the same thing.
- In case your child has made a mistake, repeat the instruction and explain again what they should have done (please note – always in a cheerful and playful way)
- For example, if they draw a line above the whale instead of below, repeat the instruction, show them what below means and have them try again.
- It is not necessary to follow all 10 instructions, which are just an idea.
- Take turns your child, the first turn you read the instruction from the list and you both do it, the next turn your child can invent an instruction and you both have to follow what he/she says.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Draw a circle around the goldfish.
- Draw a triangle under the crab.
- Draw a square between the dolphin and the seal.
- Draw a line under the whale.
- Draw a heart above the starfish.
- Write your name beside the seahorse.
- Draw a sun between the jellyfish and the octopus.
- Draw a square around the turtle.
- Draw a triangle around the shark and a circle around the squid.
- Draw a line under the starfish and a smiley face above the seal.
That was the Sea Animal Barrier Game!
Contact me here to receive the PDF by email!
Let me know what you think and if your child loves this game too!
