Wake Up!
| Target: | command "Wake up!" | verbal energise give control humour |
| Age: | toddler and young children | |
| Duration: | 10 - 20 seconds | |
| Class Size: | any | |
| Energy Level: | high - usually energises a group | |
| Type: | make believe activity | |
| Equipment: | none |
This activity always excites young children. I pretend to fall asleep. The children notice. A team teacher feeds them the line "Wake up!" I wake up - and then go back to sleep again. When the children have got this idea they can learn the matching line - "Sleep!" (and later "Go to sleep!"). Then they can send me to sleep and wake me up. Works well when combined with Be a monster...
It is possible to introduce this game without a team teacher. Fall asleep for a moment and then wake up saying the line "Wake Up!" as you do so. Pause, and say the line "Wake Up!" again. It's important to create some 'space' for the children to hear the line. Then fall asleep again. Wake up immediately when someone uses the line. Avoid responding directly to 'non-English' attempts to wake you up (verbal and nonverbal).
Alternatively, use a soft toy. Tell the toy, "Go to sleep!". Turn the toy on its' side and begin making snoring noises. Then say, "Wake up!" and jump the toy upright. Repeat a couple of times and then wait to see if one of the children will proffer the line.
Link the action of waking up to the phrase "Wake Up!". It is easy team-teaching but can be done alone.
