Now or Later? Fun “If–Then” Time Play

Materials Needed

• A toy clock or paper clock with movable hands
• Picture cards or simple drawings of actions: eat, sleep, play, read, jump
• Two small baskets or boxes labeled “NOW” and “LATER”
• Blocks, toy animals, or other favorite toys
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: a timer

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Use the words if, then, now, and later.
• Follow and create simple “if–then” directions.
• Sort familiar activities into “now” and “later.”
• Explain one choice using a simple sentence, such as, “If it is playtime, then I play.”

Success Criteria

The child is successful when they can:

• Follow at least three simple “if–then” directions.
• Correctly sort at least four activity cards.
• Create or say one original “if–then” idea.

Introduction: The Magic Rule

Hook: Hold up a toy and say, “If I shake this toy, then what might happen?” Shake it and let the child answer or observe.

Say: “Today we will play with magic rules. An if–then rule tells us what happens next. We will also talk about what happens now and what happens later.”

Warm-Up: Copy My Rule

1. Say, “If I clap, then you clap.” Clap once and invite the child to copy you.
2. Say, “If I touch my head, then you touch your toes.” Demonstrate the action.
3. Let the child make a rule for you to follow.

Quick check: Ask, “What happens after the if part?” Help the child answer, “The then part happens.”

Body: Learn and Practice

I Do: Model “If–Then” and “Now–Later”

Show the toy clock. Explain:

• Now means it is happening at this moment.
• Later means it will happen after now.
• If starts a rule.
• Then tells what happens next.

Model several examples:

• “If it is raining, then I use an umbrella.”
• “If I am hungry, then I eat a snack.”
• “If it is bedtime, then I sleep.”
• “Now we are learning. Later we can play.”

Use the toy clock to show “now” and “later.” Say, “Now the clock says learning time. Later the clock can say playtime.”

We Do: Now or Later Sorting Game

Place the “NOW” and “LATER” baskets on the floor. Show one activity card at a time.

1. Name the picture together.
2. Ask, “Is this something we do now or later?”
3. Let the child place the card in the correct basket.
4. Ask the child to explain the choice using a sentence.

Use examples such as:

• “If it is reading time, then we read now.”
• “If it is bedtime, then we sleep later.”
• “If it is snack time, then we eat now.”

Think-and-talk prompt: “What is something you are doing now? What is something you will do later?”

We Do: Follow the Silly Computer Rules

Explain that computers can follow rules, but this game uses pretend rules for people.

1. Say, “If I say ‘beep,’ then freeze.”
2. Say, “If I say ‘boop,’ then wiggle.”
3. Mix the words and let the child respond.
4. Invite the child to invent a new word and action.

Keep the game playful. Celebrate mistakes by saying, “Let’s try that rule again!”

You Do: Make Your Own If–Then Rule

Invite the child to choose one of these options:

• Movement option: Make an action rule, such as, “If I stomp, then you clap.”
• Toy option: Make a toy rule, such as, “If the bear sits, then the blocks fall.”
• Drawing option: Draw two pictures: what happens after “if” and what happens after “then.”

Help the child say the rule aloud:

“If __________, then __________.”

Ask the child to demonstrate the rule for a parent, sibling, stuffed animal, or teacher.

Real-World Connection

Talk about rules the child already knows:

• “If your hands are dirty, then you wash them.”
• “If it is time to cross the street, then you hold an adult’s hand.”
• “If toys are on the floor, then we clean them up.”

Ask: “Which rule helps keep us safe?” and “Which rule helps us take care of our home?”

Formative Assessment

During the lesson, check understanding by asking:

• “What does now mean?”
• “What does later mean?”
• “What happens after the if part?”
• “Can you show me what to do if I say ‘beep’?”
• “Which basket does bedtime go in?”

Summative Assessment: The Three-Part Challenge

Invite the child to complete these three tasks:

1. Follow one “if–then” action rule.
2. Sort two activity cards into “now” and “later.”
3. Say or demonstrate one original “if–then” rule.

Feedback: Give specific praise, such as, “You listened carefully and did the action after the if part,” or “You explained why bedtime belongs in later.”

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Review the lesson with the child:

• “If starts a rule.”
• “Then tells what happens next.”
• “Now means this moment.”
• “Later means after now.”

Ask the child to finish these sentences:

• “If I am hungry, then I __________.”
• “Now I am __________. Later I will __________.”

End with a cheerful rule: “If we finish our lesson, then we celebrate!” Let the child choose a celebration: a high five, a dance, a song, or five minutes of toy play.

Differentiation and Adaptations

For Extra Support

• Use only two choices at a time, such as “eat or sleep.”
• Use gestures and pictures for every key word.
• Repeat the same rule several times before introducing a new one.
• Allow the child to point instead of speaking.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to create a two-step rule: “If we clean up, then we wash hands, and then we have a snack.”
• Ask, “What might happen if we do not follow the rule?”
• Invite the child to make a short picture book called If This, Then That.

Flexible Learning Formats

• For homeschool: Use the child’s daily routine for the activity cards.
• For a classroom: Let children take turns being the “rule maker.”
• For a digital session: Use drawings, gestures, and a virtual timer instead of physical cards.