The Patience Game — Wait for It!
A series of fun waiting challenges that build self-regulation and impulse control. Includes waiting for a signal before acting, freeze dance, and resisting temptation. The agent guides the parent through observing the child's ability to delay gratification, follow stop/go rules, and manage impulses in a playful context.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Parent should place a small treat on the table visible to the child. Also clear a small space for freeze dance. Parent will need to be able to play/stop music or clap rhythmically for the freeze portion.
How it works
- 1~30s
Okay your child, here's your first challenge! See that treat on the table? Here's the deal — if you can wait without touching it until I say 'GO,' you'll get to eat it AND you'll earn your first patience point! I'm going to count down slowly from ten. Parent, watch closely — tell me if your child touches it or if they waits the whole time. Ready? Ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one... GO! your child, you can eat it now!
Watch for: Child waits for the signal before touching the treat
- 2~30s
Time for Freeze Dance! Parent, you're the DJ. When you clap or play music, your child dances. When you STOP, your child has to FREEZE like a statue — no moving at all! your child, the tricky part is stopping your body right away. Let's do it a few times. Parent, start and stop about four times, mix up how long you play. Then tell me how your child did — how quickly did they freeze?
Watch for: Child stops movement promptly when the signal changes
- 3~30s
Last challenge and this one is just for your child! I'm going to say a bunch of words, and your child should clap ONLY when they hears the word 'PATIENCE.' All other words — no clapping! Ready? Parent, watch carefully. Here we go: Apple... Dog... Sunshine... PATIENCE! ... Rain... PATIENCE! ... Cookie... Elephant... PATIENCE! ... How did your child do, parent?
Watch for: Child claps only on the target word and inhibits response to other words