Why Follow the Leader Circuit works

At its simplest, Follow the Leader Circuit is about controlled movement and body awareness, starting with the instruction to choose four movements that fit the room: march, side step, clap, reach and freeze are good options. Follow a leader through a short sequence of safe floor-level movements, then switch leaders. The first useful comparison appears when the child then has to keep everyone in one clear area.

Set up — Choose four movements that fit the room: march, side step, clap, reach…

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to choose four movements that fit the room: march, side step, clap, reach and freeze are good options. Complete the opening request to choose four movements that fit the room: march, side step, clap, reach and freeze are good options once before adding the next instruction to keep everyone in one clear area. Keep the floor clear and the movement controlled throughout that first transition.

Step 2 — Keep everyone in one clear area

Let the child keep everyone in one clear area and treat the result as information rather than simple repetition. If it is unclear, repeat that action before asking them to the leader demonstrates one movement for a few seconds and everyone copies.

Step 3 — The leader demonstrates one movement for a few seconds and everyone copies

One careful attempt to the leader demonstrates one movement for a few seconds and everyone copies is enough at this stage. Before the child tries to change movements only after the group has settled into the current one, ask them to show or describe what differed from when they had to keep everyone in one clear area.

Step 4 — Change movements only after the group has settled into the current one

Use the result of asking the child to change movements only after the group has settled into the current one as a clue for the next decision. Do not move on to leaders choose only movements that keep feet under control and bodies away from furniture until this step has a clear purpose.

Step 5 — Leaders choose only movements that keep feet under control and bodies away…

Ask the child to leaders choose only movements that keep feet under control and bodies away from furniture. Compare what happens with the earlier step to change movements only after the group has settled into the current one, then continue by asking them to leaders choose only movements that keep feet under control and bodies away from furniture once the difference is clear.

What to notice before Leaders choose only movements that keep feet under…

The strongest evidence appears after the child has tried to the leader demonstrates one movement for a few seconds and everyone copies and before they finish by trying to leaders choose only movements that keep feet under control and bodies away from furniture. Look for whether the child can change action or direction deliberately without losing control rather than judging the round by speed or neatness.

Make The leader demonstrates one movement for a… easier or harder

Use the child’s last successful attempt to the leader demonstrates one movement for a few seconds and everyone copies to set the next round. Simplify by doing this: shorten the route, slow the pace, or use fewer actions. Extend it by doing this: add one remembered action or direction change without increasing speed.

Finish after Leaders choose only movements that keep feet under…

Stop after one clean cycle in which movements leads naturally to march. There is no benefit in padding the session after the rule is clear. Find another idea in the activity search or create one with the activity generator.