Why Spot the Rule works

Spot the Rule gives the child a concrete way to practice reasoning that can be explained from visible clues or rules once they begin by learning to study the examples that fit the secret rule. Look across several examples and infer the hidden rule that determines which examples belong. The next test is whether that experience helps when they are asked to name one feature they share.

Set up — Study the examples that fit the secret rule

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to study the examples that fit the secret rule. Arrange the space so the instruction to study the examples that fit the secret rule can happen cleanly before the child is asked to name one feature they share. Use age-appropriate pieces and avoid small loose parts for children who may mouth objects during that setup.

Step 2 — Name one feature they share

Have the child name one feature they share before offering a solution. What happens here should help them understand how to test that idea against a non-example, especially compared with the earlier request to study the examples that fit the secret rule.

Step 3 — Test that idea against a non-example

Give the child time to test that idea against a non-example and notice the result. The following instruction to revise the hypothesis if it also fits the non-example should use what they learned after previously trying to name one feature they share.

Step 4 — Revise the hypothesis if it also fits the non-example

Allow room for a mistake while the child tries to revise the hypothesis if it also fits the non-example. A self-correction here is more useful than fast repetition before the child moves on to state the final rule and classify one new test item.

Step 5 — State the final rule and classify one new test item

After the child tries to state the final rule and classify one new test item, ask one brief question about the result. Connect their answer to the next request to state the final rule and classify one new test item rather than explaining it for them.

What to notice before State the final rule and classify one new…

Watch what happens after the child is asked to test that idea against a non-example. A pause, correction, or question can be useful evidence of which clue, position, or relationship supports the answer before they continue to revise the hypothesis if it also fits the non-example.

Make Test that idea against a non-example easier or harder

Keep difficulty tied to the decision around revise the hypothesis if it also fits the non-example. First, use fewer items and make the relevant difference more obvious; later, add one plausible distractor, remove one cue, or ask the child to explain the rule, while preserving the reason the child eventually has to state the final rule and classify one new test item.

Finish after State the final rule and classify one new…

State the final rule and classify one new test item. If the child can explain what happened, the activity has reached a complete ending. Find the next activity in the activity search, or make a new one with the activity generator.