Why Finger-Tap Copy works

Set the first round up so other is easy to read. The aim is to make the later decision around floor feel earned by what happened earlier, not added arbitrarily.

Set up — Sit across from each other at a table or on the floor…

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to sit across from each other at a table or on the floor with hands visible. The setup is ready when the child can sit across from each other at a table or on the floor with hands visible and then move on to the instruction to choose one hand as the ‘leader hand.’ Tap one finger once on the surface and let the child copy without a new explanation. Let comfort come first; the child may keep eyes open, move position, or stop while those two steps are connected.

Step 2 — Choose one hand as the ‘leader hand.’ Tap one finger once on…

After the child tries to choose one hand as the ‘leader hand.’ Tap one finger once on the surface and let the child copy, ask one brief question about the result. Connect their answer to the next request to build to two-tap patterns such as index-index or index-thumb, leaving a clear pause between patterns rather than explaining it for them.

Step 3 — Build to two-tap patterns such as index-index or index-thumb, leaving a clear…

Have the child build to two-tap patterns such as index-index or index-thumb, leaving a clear pause between patterns before offering a solution. What happens here should help them understand how to use gentle taps on a safe surface, especially compared with the earlier request to choose one hand as the ‘leader hand.’ Tap one finger once on the surface and let the child copy.

Step 4 — Use gentle taps on a safe surface

Give the child time to use gentle taps on a safe surface and notice the result. The following instruction to use two hands, add a soft clap at the end, let the child lead should use what they learned after previously trying to build to two-tap patterns such as index-index or index-thumb, leaving a clear pause between patterns.

Step 5 — Use two hands, add a soft clap at the end, let the…

Allow room for a mistake while the child tries to use two hands, add a soft clap at the end, let the child lead. A self-correction here is more useful than fast repetition before the child moves on to use two hands, add a soft clap at the end, let the child lead.

What to notice before Use two hands, add a soft clap at…

After the child has tried to use gentle taps on a safe surface, ask what changed. An answer connected to the earlier attempt to build to two-tap patterns such as index-index or index-thumb, leaving a clear pause between patterns is good evidence of whether the child notices a detail without being pushed to stay still or perform before the final step.

Make Build to two-tap patterns such as index-index… easier or harder

If asking the child to build to two-tap patterns such as index-index or index-thumb, leaving a clear pause between patterns is too demanding, shorten the round and use one obvious thing to notice. Once that step is comfortable, add a second comparison, a memory check, or a child-led choice before returning to the final request to use two hands, add a soft clap at the end, let the child lead.

Finish after Use two hands, add a soft clap at…

Use two hands, add a soft clap at the end, let the child lead. End with that completed action and save the next variation for another round. For another activity, use the activity search or create one with the activity generator.