Watch My Wings
Watch My Wings
2-5 players • 10 min • 4 & up
Focus: Matching
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Get ready for a butterfly match-up! Spin to see if you’re matching colors, shapes, or both, then race to find those fluttering friends! Stay focused and show off your self-control as you gather the most matching butterflies.
Skills: Matching, Focus, Self Control
Game Includes
Game Includes
- 55 Butterfly Tiles
- 1 Flower Spinner
- 1 Rules Booklet
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How to Play
Educational Standards
Core Standard*: Head Start
- Head Start
- Begins to recognize, describe, compare and name common shapes, their parts and attributes. : Grade Level Head Start
- Shows growth in matching, sorting, putting in a series and regrouping objects according to one or two attributes such as color, shape or size. : Grade Level Head Start
- Geometry & Spatial Sense
Skills
Explore
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players look at the different Butterfly tiles to identify colors and shapes that may match the Main Butterfly.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Parents may need to remind children that the location of a shape or color does not need to be the same. For example, the child may try to match the color red. The red of the Main Butterfly is on the bottom wing. However, the child can look for red on either the top or bottom wings of the tiles in the Butterfly Field.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Educators may need to remind children that the location of a shape or color does not need to be the same. For example, the child may try to match the color red. The red of the Main Butterfly is on the bottom wing. However, the child can look for red on either the top or bottom wings of the tiles in the Butterfly Field.
Determine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
When a player finds a matching color, shape or both, they are building their determination skills.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
In Watch My wings, determining and comparing happen simultaneously. Parents can encourage language development by having children declare which color, shape, or both they are trying to match.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
In Watch My wings, determining and comparing happen simultaneously. Educators can encourage language development by having children declare which color, shape, or both they are trying to match.
Compare
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Comparing is the principal skill developed while playing Watch My Wings, as players look for and successfully find matching colors, shapes, or both.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
In Watch My wings, determining and comparing happen simultaneously. Parents can encourage language development by having children declare which color, shape, or both they are trying to match.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Watch My Wings is a good game for teaching color and shape matching, as well as developing observational and quick-thinking skills.
Practice
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Playing Watch My Wings is good practice for comparing and matching skill development.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special adult support required.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
No special adult support required.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Special Needs
Cognitive
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Use fewer than eight tiles in the Butterfly Field to reduce the complexity of the visual search.
Play without the spinner, and only one player at a time tries to make a match. Let the child tell you what they want to match (a specific color or shape) and how many matches they think they will make. This gives the child control over what to choose as a match and reduces the stress of all going for tiles at the same time.
Play without the spinner and look first for color, then shape, then both. Play each one for as long as it takes the child to learn how to make the match. Then play with the spinner.
Communication
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Encourage communication by asking the child to name what was matched and point to the area matched on the butterflies
Encourage children to use location vocabulary words for their match such as "top wing matches color" or "bottom wing matches shape."
Sensorimotor
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
The butterfly tiles are fairly large, so they can be picked up easily unless the child has very restricted movements.
If quick movements are difficult, modify the play so that only one player at a time tries to make a match. Let the child declare what they want to match (a specific color or shape) and how many matches they think they will make. This gives the child control over what to choose as a match and reduces the stress of all going for tiles at the same time.
Social Emotional/Behavioral
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
The game requires focus and attention. This may be a good game for an older child who has good matching skills. Children will feel less stress and frustration with increased confidence in their skills.
If the child is easily frustrated, eliminate the speed factor. Take turns. Allow each player to choose to make one or two matches prior to picking up their tile(s).
Use fewer than eight tiles in the Butterfly Field to reduce the complexity of the visual search.
Vision
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Watch My Wings is too visually complex for children with low vision.
Hearing
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Hearing is not needed to play Watch My Wings. Players can point to their matches on the tiles.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Autism
Autism Strengths & Interests
Short Summary of Strengths & Interests
- Likes finding matches for colors or shapes.
- Is good at visually searching across a complex visual field, such as seek and find type of games.
- Can focus attention on more than one attribute of an object.
Is good at matching visual items
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Watch My Wings is a visual matching game, therefore, it is good for children with this strength or interest.
Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Although memory is not essential, to play quickly, players need to remember the characteristics that match on the Butterfly Field without having to look back and forth too often.
Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge
This game is not appropriate
Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
While Watch My Wings does not require strong memory skills, players will do better if they can remember the shapes or colors on the Main Butterfly Tile they need to match to tiles in the Butterfly Field. Even so, players can always look at the Main Butterfly if they forget.
Likes to put things in order or a sequence
This game is not appropriate
Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind
This game is not appropriate
Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics
This game is not appropriate
Is very concrete and literal
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Colors and shapes are concrete and easily identified. Therefore, Watch My Wings would be a fun game for autistic children who prefer straightforward activities.
Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)
This game is not appropriate
Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic
This game is not appropriate
Likes spatial problem solving
This game is not appropriate
Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good fine motor skill
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Manipulation of the Butterfly Tiles is required a players turn over or retrieve them from the playing area. The tiles are relatively large, therefore, should be easily manipulated by children who enjoy that type of activity.
Likes established routines or set ways of doing things
This game is not appropriate
Likes manipulating, constructing or building things
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good musical abilities
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good drawing skills
This game is not appropriate
Autism Special Considerations
Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players only need to concentrate on the tiles before them. No eye contact with other players is needed. Players can be encouraged to listen to and watch to make sure other players' matches are correct.
Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
As long as players understand how to make matches with colors and shapes (two attributes), the directions are not complex.
Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If players are echolalic it should not interfere with their own play, but it may be distracting to other players. If the child needs to talk, encourage him to talk about what he is looking for in the butterfly field. Alternatively, state a phrase that is meaningful for imitation. For example, "What am I looking for?"
Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players need to focus attention and make quick, purposeful moves. Extraneous movements will inhibit successful play.
Has difficulty producing speech/communication
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Player do not need to talk during play. They can point to matches that were made.
Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The actions require the same thought process and action within a turn. Players do not need to sequence a variety of different moves.
Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Social interaction is not required. Encourage players to look and confirm the accuracy of their tile choices. This will encourage some interaction.
Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Watch My Wings is a fast-paced game. If children cannot think and move quickly, the game may be too stressful. Modifications can be made to eliminate the speed element. Play without the spinner and play in turns. Let each child tell you what they want to match (a specific color or shape) and how many matches they think they will make. This gives the child control over what to choose as a match and reduces the stress of all going for tiles at the same time.
Has short attention span for non-preferred activities
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If visual match games are a preference, Watch My Wings is a good game for the child. If attention and focus on this type of task is non-preferred, Watch My Wings is not recommended.
Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Watch My Wings is played the same with each turn, but the tiles change, so it is not as predictable as a simple path game. If the change of tiles is not an issue, this can be a good game for the child. Help the child transition to the game by talking about butterflies, colors, and shapes. It may also help to start playing with only 4 or 6 Butterfly Tiles in the Butterfly Field until the child becomes comfortable with the game play.
Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Understanding others' feelings is not important to be successful at Watch My Wings.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Extended Play
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Omit the spinner. Turn over a tile and let players make as many matches as they can. Players score one point for matching the color, 2 points for matching the shape, 3 points for matching both. One limitation is that a Butterfly Tile in the Butterfly Field can be used only once per turn to match the Main Butterfly. For example, if both butterflies have pink and purple wings, the player can only score 1 point. Give players a pencil and paper to write down their score for each tile.
Materials Needed
Paper and pencil for each player.
Developmental Benefits
This modification requires higher level thinking, as it encourages players to use some strategy. They need to decide which butterflies they choose to match first, second, etc. to increase their score. Also, this version requires players to use "counting on" to figure out their score.
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Omit the spinner. Players score one point for matching color, 2 points for matching shape, 3 points for matching both. One limitation is that a Butterfly Tile in the Butterfly Field can be used only once per turn to match the Main Butterfly. For example, if both butterflies have pink and purple wings, the player can only score 1 point. Give players a pencil and paper to write down their score for each tile. Give 4 points if the player matches the location of the color and shape match on the Main Butterfly and a tile in the Butterfly Field, for example, top wings are both purple with a square.
Materials Needed
Paper and pencil for each player.
Developmental Benefits
This modification requires higher level thinking, as it encourages players to use some strategy. Players need to decide what butterflies they choose to match first, second, etc. to increase their score. Also, this version requires players to use "counting.
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Create a memory game with finding matching colors or shapes in the same location on the butterfly. Turn over all the tiles on a flat surface. At the beginning of the game, players decide if they are matching colors, shapes, or both. On their turn, players turn over two tiles looking for a match. If they make a match, they take the tiles. The person with most tiles at the end wins the game.
Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.
Developmental Benefits
This modification requires remembering the location of the shape or color.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
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How to Play Video & Transcript
Today we’re going on a butterfly hunt as we learn to play Simply Fun’s Watch My Wings.
Watch My Wings is a fun game for people ages 4 and up, and can be played with 2 to 5 players.
In Watch My Wings, players will practice their matching skills as they spin, search and match the colors and shapes on the main butterfly’s wings.
They’ll also practice focus and self control, being quick – but also careful – to choose the right butterflies to win.
To set up the game, place the flower spinner near the play area.
Mix up the 55 butterfly tiles and place 8 of them face-up in rows where everyone can see and reach them.
This is the butterfly field.
Place the remaining butterfly tiles face-down in stacks near the spinner. These are the draw piles
The object of the game is to collect the most butterfly tiles by matching butterflies in the field to the main butterfly.
To begin, the first player spins the spinner to find out what to match that round.
The flower spinner may tell you to match:
• one color…
• one shape…
• or both one color AND one shape.
Next, the first player flips over the top butterfly tile from one of the draw piles.
That butterfly is the MAIN BUTTERFLY for the round.
Now, at the same time, ALL players search the field for butterflies that match the main butterfly. Make sure to match what the arrow is pointing to on the spinner.
It’s everyone’s turn at the same time!
The matching shape or color can be anywhere on the butterfly. It doesn’t have to be on the same wing.
When players spot a match, they quickly grab the butterfly from the field and place it in a stack near them.
Players may collect as many matching butterflies as they can each turn.
When all the matches have been made, the turn is over. The butterfly field may or may not have any butterflies left, depending on the matches.
The first player places the main butterfly from that round onto the butterfly field in the center and then fills the filed with more tiles from the stack if needed so there are eight butterflies in the field.
Now, it’s the next players turn
When there are not enough butterfly tiles in the draw piles to fill the butterfly field with eight tiles, the game is over.
Players then count up all their butterfly tiles.
The player who has collected the most butterflies wins!
Spin, search and match the butterflies with Simply Fun’s Watch My Wings.
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