Games, where children can both have fun and actively use their mental skills, are the most powerful tools of the learning process. Visual perception and strategy games, especially applied in preschool and primary school years, take children's problem-solving skills to the next level. The "Slide Target Game", which you can easily create in the classroom or at home with simple materials, activates children's focus and planning skills with a sweet competition.
🧩 What is the Sliding Target Game and How to Prepare it?
It is very practical to prepare this game, which is based on the classic "15 Puzzle" and computer-free coding (unplugged coding):
- Create the Playground: 4x4 square (16 squares in total) on large yellow background cardboards for two players. Draw grids. Cover the cardboard with transparent tape or lamination to ensure longevity and for the circles to slide easily.
- Cut the Game Stamps: Cut 14 pink and 1 red circles for each game board. (There will be 15 circles in total, 1 square will definitely remain empty on the table.)
- Prepare the Task Cards: Draw 4x4 guide cards smaller than white cardboard to put in the middle and place the red circle in a different square on each card.
🎲 Game Rules and Gameplay
- Starting Lineup: Players places 15 circles into squares on yellow game boards; The starting position of the red circle must be the same for both players.
- Seeing the Target: A white task card is opened in the middle of the table and the target point is determined.
- Sliding Moves: With the "Start" command, students slide the pink and red circles horizontally or vertically with their fingers, using the empty square. It is forbidden to lift the circles from the table or to jump them over another circle.
- Winning the Game: The first player to deliver the red circle to the square specified on the task card in the middle in accordance with the rules wins the round.
💡 Gains of the Activity to the Children
- Algorithmic Thinking and Planning: Children will choose which pink circles to find their way first in order to take the red circle to the target. It plans step by step what it needs to open.
- Visual and Spatial Perception: Learns to perceive the position on the small task card and transfer it correctly to its own large game board.
- Attention and Concentration: Provides a high level of focus to avoid making mistakes while moving fast.
- Fine Motor and Hand-Eye Coordination: Sliding the circles in a controlled manner without moving them beyond the squares supports the finger muscles.
