Take turns giving exact instructions for a familiar task, such as pouring cereal. If a step is missing, the ‘computer’ asks what to do next. Keep it silly and safe—pretend actions are best near hot or sharp things.
1. The breakfast algorithm
2. Pattern parade
Clap, tap, clap, tap. Ask a child what comes next, then let them invent a pattern for everyone to copy. Repeating patterns are a gentle way into loops and sequences.
3. Robot maze
Make a path using books or cushions and guide a person through it one instruction at a time. Add a rule such as ‘turn only at a marker’ to make the plan more interesting.
4. Find the bug
Give a deliberately mixed-up set of directions to a pretend treasure. Can your child find the instruction that sends the explorer the wrong way? Fix the one step and test again.
5. If-this-then-that
Make a simple call-and-response: if someone says ‘moon’, everyone tiptoes; if they say ‘sun’, everyone stretches. Swap the trigger or action and see what changes.