Simon Says, or Simón dice in Spanish, teaches children words for body parts and can also teach common Spanish verbs and other vocabulary. The person who is “Simon” should do the actions as she calls them out. If the children are not sure of the Spanish, they can see the action and it clarifies the language. Children quickly learn the Spanish commands and can take the role of “Simon” too.
There are several ways to give commands in Spanish. One common structure is to use the infinitive, or base form, of the verb. This is a good choice when playing this game with Spanish language learners because it is grammatically correct when speaking to a group or to one other person (other command forms change). Also, children hear and learn the Spanish infinitive, and it is easy for them to produce correctly when they take the part of “Simon.”
To say “touch” use the verb tocar. For example:
Simón dice tocar la cabeza. Simon says touch your head.
Simón dice tocar la naríz. Simon says touch your nose.
Simón dice tocar el pie. Simon says touch your foot.
This is a great game for teaching verbs. Here are some that you can act out playing this game:
Simón dice…
correr – run
comer – eat
dormir – sleep
beber – drink
leer – read
escribir – write
saltar – jump
cantar – sing
aplaudir – clap
Verbs can be combined with body parts to make other instructions. Try these:
Simón dice:
cerrar los ojos – close your eyes
abrir la boca – open your mouth
lavarse las manos – wash your hands
lavarse los dientes – brush your teeth
poner las manos arriba – put your hands up
Click here for a video of a game of Simón dice by a flash mob (a group that organizes an activity in public to surprise others) in Mexico City. It is a fun video, and if you are learning Spanish it is a good way to be sure that your Spanish pronunciation of Simón dice is correct. Simón in Spanish has the same letters as Simon in English, but it is pronounced very differently!
The video has the text on the screen so that you can see the Spanish commands. The announcer uses a variety of command forms, but you will hear and see the Spanish infinitives aplaudir, and chiflar (to whistle). Of course, the announcer always says Simón dice because he is not trying to trick anyone. The group just wants to surprise the people on the street.
Simón dice ¡a jugar y a hablar mucho español!
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