TPR for the smallest: 15 move-to-learn games for ages 3–6

Command games, easiest first

• Do as I say — jump, clap, turn around, sit down; you model everything at first, then model less.
• Simon Says — the graduation exam of command games.
• Fast-slow — same commands but 'jump slowly… jump FAST!' Adverbs arrive free of charge.
• Animal commands — 'jump like a frog, sleep like a cat, fly like a bird': verbs and animals in one move.
• Body targets — 'touch your nose / ears / knees'; speed up into the classic head-shoulders chaos.

Story TPR (the next level)

Tell a tiny story where the child acts every line: 'You wake up (stretch!). You wash your face (scrub!). You see a BEAR (freeze!). You run! (run!)'. Ten lines, whole-body listening comprehension — no translation ever needed.

Online TPR: the camera is your friend

• Frame check first: 'Stand back — can I see your feet? Perfect!'
• You mirror everything at 120% energy — on screen, enthusiasm shrinks by a third in transit.
• Freeze! is even better online — a grid of frozen statues is comedy gold.
• End with a calm command set: 'breathe… stretch… whisper bye-bye' — hand the child back to parents in a landable state.