How To Play Simon Says and Mother May I
People of All Abilities Can Play These Old-Fashioned Games
Oct 15, 2009
Like many old-fashioned children's games, Simon Says and Mother May I don’t require any kind of equipment. Simon Says is even a good game for elderly adults in long term care facilities, since it can be played by anyone, doesn’t require any physical exertion and helps keep the mind alert.
In both games, a group of people is led by a single person who gives the commands. A player who gets too caught up in the game to listen to the commands will end up making a mistake and either be eliminated or have to return to the beginning.
Simon Says Is a Game For Seniors and Children
To play Simon Says, the leader (“Simon”) gives a series of commands that the other players must follow. For example, “Simon says touch your nose” or “Simon says clap your hands”. In another version of this game, Simon may say "Simon says do this" and demonstrate the action required, such as twirling around, patting the top of the head, or whatever.
The trick is that each command must be preceded by “Simon says”. If Simon just says “Touch your head” or "Do this" then players must remain still. A player that follows a command without “Simon says” is eliminated. The game ends when the last person is out.
This is a fun game, and it is easy to get tripped up and do what Simon says even if the magic words were not said.
Mother May I Can Be Played From a Wheelchair
Like Simon Says, Mother May I uses a leader ("Mother") who gives permission to move. The children line up about 20 or 30 feet away from Mother and one at a time each child asks to move forward by asking, “Mother, may I take a step?”
Mother, who has her back to the children, then answers “Yes, you may” or “No, you may not”. In some versions, Mother specifies how many steps and what kind - for example, “Yes, you may take two giant steps” or “Yes, you may take one baby step”.
The key here is that when the answer is yes, it must be “Yes, you may.” If “you may” is not said, the person is not supposed to move. If the child steps without hearing “you may” he or she must return to the starting line. The child reaching Mother first is the winner and, if the game continues, the winner is Mother for the next session.
Rules in this game vary from place to place. In another version, Mother tells the child to move - for example, “Vicky, you may take two baby steps” - and the child must respond “Mother, may I?” and then wait for “Yes, you may” or No, you may not”. If the child takes the steps without asking “Mother, may I?” he or she is either out or must return to the starting line.
Even people in wheelchairs can play by modifying a request from taking steps to moving a certain distance. Since each person has individual commands, children of all abilities can take part in the same game.
While many old-fashioned games like these have gone out of style with the advent of computers and electronic games, they are still a lot of fun. Simon Says and Mother May I can be played by almost anyone, since physical speed and strength are not factors required to play them well. But a quick mind is an asset, and playing often is likely to improve one's ability to recognize critical information contained in verbal language. Simon says listen and yes, you may win!
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