Simon Says: Enhancing Listening Skills and Body Awareness Through Play

At TFA, simple games like Simon Says are a great example of how Early Years Development football can begin through play. Before young children learn more structured football skills, they first need opportunities to develop fundamental movement, coordination, balance, listening and confidence. Games that encourage children to listen, follow instructions, move their bodies and respond to different commands help build these foundations in a fun and natural way.

This play-based approach is at the heart of our Elite Boots programme for children aged 3–5, where early football development is introduced through age-appropriate games and activities rather than focusing only on technical football skills. By combining movement, listening and social play, children can build important early development skills while becoming comfortable and confident in a football environment.

How to Play Simon Says

The rules of Simon Says are simple: One person (usually a parent, coach, or another child) takes on the role of Simon, giving commands to the players. The twist is that players should only follow the commands if they’re preceded by the phrase “Simon says.” For example, if the leader says, “Simon says touch your toes,” the players should touch their toes. However, if the leader just says, “Touch your toes” without saying “Simon says,” the players must resist the urge to follow the command.

This game is not just about following instructions; it’s about careful listening and making decisions in real-time. For toddlers, this helps improve their ability to process and respond to verbal cues, which is crucial for developing listening skills and cognitive control.

Coach Yasser Eid, who frequently uses Simon Says in his sessions, shares, “It’s a fantastic way to teach kids how to listen carefully and think before they act. They need to stay focused and not get too caught up in just copying what I say. It’s a fun challenge for them.”

What Skills Does Simon Says Help Develop?

While Simon Says may seem like a simple game, it encourages children to respond, react and engage with others. These experiences can help make the transition into early years football development more natural, where children begin exploring football through movement, games and positive group experiences.

1. Listening Skills and Focus: One of the key benefits of Simon Says is that it teaches toddlers to listen carefully and follow instructions. They have to pay close attention to whether the leader says “Simon says” before acting, which requires focus and patience. This skill translates to better listening and attention spans in other areas of life, such as school or group activities.
2. Self-Control and Decision Making: For young children, resisting the temptation to follow commands that aren’t preceded by “Simon says” is a great way to practice self-control. This game encourages them to pause and think before they act, helping them develop impulse control and better decision-making skills.
3. Memory and Problem-Solving: Simon Says also requires children to remember which actions they should and shouldn’t perform, helping improve memory and problem-solving skills. As the game progresses and commands get trickier, toddlers have to keep track of what they’ve been told and think on their feet.
4. Social Interaction and Cooperation: Playing Simon Says in a group helps toddlers learn to take turns, cooperate with others, and engage in social play. They also experience the joy of shared play, where they laugh and interact with their peers while learning important life skills.

Coach Yasser believes the social aspect of Simon Says is one of its biggest draws. “When toddlers play in a group, they learn from watching each other. They see how others react and realise that it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s all part of the learning process.”

Physical Benefits of Simon Says

Though Simon Says primarily targets listening skills, it also has physical benefits for toddlers. The commands can be adjusted to encourage different types of movement, helping children develop gross motor skills, body awareness, and coordination.

1. Body Awareness: During Simon Says, toddlers practice becoming aware of their bodies and how they move in space. Commands like “Simon says touch your nose” or “Simon says spin around” encourage children to locate and move different parts of their bodies, which improves their proprioception—knowing where their body is in relation to their surroundings.
2. Gross Motor Skills: Commands that involve jumping, running, or balancing help toddlers build their gross motor skills. For instance, if Simon says “Jump like a frog,” toddlers work on their leg strength and coordination as they hop around.
3. Fine Motor Skills: The game can also incorporate finer movements like clapping, wiggling fingers, or patting the head, which helps toddlers refine their fine motor skills.
4. Balance and Coordination: Many of the physical actions involved in Simon Says—such as standing on one foot, hopping, or spinning—require balance and coordination. As toddlers practice these movements, they develop better control over their bodies, which can help with other physical activities like running or climbing.

Coach Yasser frequently adds physical elements to his Simon Says games to keep toddlers moving. “I’ll say things like, ‘Simon says stand on one foot,’ or ‘Simon says jump up and down.’ It’s a fun way to get them active while still keeping them engaged in listening,” he says. For children who enjoy this kind of active play, Elite Boots offers a fun introduction to football, helping young children become familiar with the ball, the pitch and the experience of playing with others.

Emotional and Behavioral Growth

In addition to its cognitive and physical benefits, Simon Says can also help with emotional and behavioural development. The game requires toddlers to regulate their emotions, especially when they make mistakes or get excited.

• Impulse Control: Since the game requires children to think before acting, it’s a great way for toddlers to practice impulse control. They need to slow down and listen carefully before following the leader’s instructions, which helps them learn patience and self-regulation.
• Dealing with Mistakes: In Simon Says, mistakes are part of the fun. If children follow a command when they shouldn’t, they learn that it’s okay to make errors, helping them build resilience and a positive attitude toward learning from mistakes.
• Turn-Taking and Patience: When played in groups, toddlers practice waiting for their turn to be Simon, which helps build patience and teaches the importance of turn-taking in social interactions.

Why Toddlers Love Simon Says

There’s a reason Simon Says has stood the test of time—it’s fun, engaging, and can be played almost anywhere. Toddlers love the fast-paced nature of the game and the challenge of trying to follow the right instructions. The unpredictability of the commands keeps them on their toes, and they enjoy the excitement of getting things right (or even getting tricked!).

Coach Yasser Eid shares that one of the best parts of the game is watching the kids laugh when they accidentally follow a command that wasn’t preceded by “Simon says.” “They get so into it. Even when they mess up, they’re laughing and having a great time,” he says.

Tips for Parents: Playing Simon Says at Home

Parents can easily play Simon Says with their toddlers at home, in the yard, or even while waiting in line. Here are a few tips to keep the game fun and challenging:

1. Start Simple: For younger toddlers, start with easy commands like “Simon says touch your head” or “Simon says jump.” As they become more familiar with the game, you can introduce more complex movements.
2. Mix in Learning: Use Simon Says as an opportunity to reinforce learning. For example, you can say, “Simon says touch something red” or “Simon says find a circle.” This helps toddlers practice colour and shape recognition while staying engaged in the game.
3. Add Physical Challenges: Incorporate movements that get your toddler moving, such as “Simon says hop on one foot” or “Simon says stretch your arms up high.” This encourages them to use their bodies while focusing on listening.
4. Be Simon Together: Take turns being Simon with your toddler, allowing them to lead the game. This gives them a chance to practice giving instructions and helps boost their confidence.

Why Simon Says is a Must-Try Game

Simon Says is a simple, no-prep game that packs a punch in terms of developmental benefits. It’s a fun way for toddlers to improve their listening skills, self-control, and coordination, all while staying physically active. Whether you’re playing in a group or one-on-one, this classic game offers a blend of physical, cognitive, and emotional growth that supports early childhood development.

Coach Yasser believes it’s one of the best games for toddlers because it touches on so many areas of learning. “You’ve got listening, you’ve got movement, and you’ve got the social aspect of playing with others. Plus, it’s just plain fun. What more could you ask for?”

If your child enjoys games like Simon Says, they’ll love learning through play in our football programmes.

Explore TFA Football Programmes in Dubai

Parents searching for a football academy near them in Dubai can find TFA training across Dubai Investment Park (DIP), JBR, Jumeirah Park, Meydan, Dubai South and Town Square. With different locations available, families can choose a convenient training venue and the right programme for their child’s current level and weekly routine.

• Elite Boots — Football programme for ages 3–5, focused on early years development, confidence and basic football skills.
• TechLab — Focused football skills training for ages 6–11, with small-group sessions to develop technical abilities.
• Boys Football Academy — Structured football training for boys, from developing fundamental skills to progressing towards more competitive football and competitions.
• Girls Football Academy — Dedicated football training for girls, supporting skill development, confidence, teamwork and opportunities to participate in matches and competitions.

If you are comparing football academies in Dubai, a free trial can be a useful first step.
Book a free football training session and find a TFA location near you.