Play a game of Follow My Directions. Give the preschooler a command such as “Jump on one foot” or “Take two steps backward” and ask her to follow the command. Another verbal game is Categories. Give the preschooler a string of words that belong in a particular category and ask him to name the category. For example, if you say the words “dog,” “kitten” and “tiger,” the child should say the category “animals.” Alternately, name a category and ask the preschooler to name items in the category.
Set out jigsaw puzzles that have pictures of familiar objects. Select puzzles with 25 pieces for children who are 3 and puzzles with up to 500 pieces for children who are 5. Encourage preschoolers with cognitive delays to play with the puzzles with a small group of children of the same age. Supervise the preschoolers and help them take turns with the other children.
Set up a dramatic play area and ask the preschoolers to pretend to be on a camping trip. Set out a prop box with camping equipment such as a tent, fishing poles, fishing hat, camping dishes, a sleeping bag, sunscreen and lanterns. Ask the preschoolers to act out the type of activities that happen when they are camping. Another example of a role-playing game is playing a game of Teacher. Select a preschooler to play the role of teacher. If the child gets stuck, ask her what types of things a teacher might do in the classroom.
Play board games with cognitively delayed preschool kids in a small group. Encourage children to wait patiently and take turns with other children. Examples of well-suited board games include Memory, Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders. Connect Four and Uno also are appropriate board games for children ages 3 to 5 who have cognitive delays.