Trying a different rule
Explore related activities, guides and research. Use an age collection when you want a starting point for your child.
Cognitive flexibility involves changing how you respond when a rule or situation changes. In play, that might mean sorting by shape and then by color, finding another route or giving a familiar story a different ending.
Make the change understandable
First establish one rule. When you introduce another, show what changed and leave a reminder visible. You can play a demonstration turn together before expecting an independent response. The child can also become the rule designer and ask the adult to adapt.
Changing the rule, increasing speed and adding more pieces at once creates several demands. Adjust one of these so you can see which version is enjoyable and which support helps.
Keep room for more than one solution
A flexible game can invite comparison: would another route work, or could the pieces be grouped differently? An unfamiliar answer may deserve exploration rather than immediate correction. Read about guidance that leaves room for ideas, or try Rule-switch Detective.
This category describes the demands of an activity. It does not promise that playing it changes a child’s behavior in every setting.
Background research
Read the study context and limitations. These sources are not tests of our products.
