My Partner Changes One Thing

In pairs, one child holds a statue pose, the other studies it and turns around; the statue changes just one thing and the partner has to find it and copy it. They practice observing someone else's body, visual memory and holding still.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher and one child make a statue pose: arms up and one foot forward, and everyone looks closely (1 min).
2. The child turns around, the teacher lowers one arm, and the child guesses what changed; we do it twice (2 min).
3. In pairs: one is the statue and one is the detective; the detective looks, turns around and the statue changes one thing (3 min).
4. We switch roles; now when the detective finds the change, they copy the new pose and they become twin statues (3 min).
5. All the pairs make their twin statues and the teacher strolls through the museum admiring them (1 min).

Rules

• The statue changes only one thing.
• The detective doesn't peek while the statue changes.
• If you can't guess, your partner gives you a hint.

Variations

Adaptations

• Child with limited mobility: makes poses only with the body parts they move comfortably.
• Child with low vision: the detective gently feels the pose with their hands before and after.
• Autistic child: works with the teacher or a trusted buddy, with changes agreed on beforehand.

Learning goals

• Closely observe a partner's pose.
• Remember and detect differences.
• Hold a still pose.

Teacher tip

Model it many times with one child before sending them off in pairs. The classic mistake is the statue changing three things: insist on "just one."

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