# How to Play the OneStep Command Game at Home Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-onestep-command-game-simon-with-my-child-at-home Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited The OneStep Command Game ("Simon Says" style) builds your child's listening, attention and following-directions with one short spoken instruction at a time. Start simple, celebrate every win, add gestures when needed and remove them as skills grow, and play in short five-minute bursts anywhere at home. *One word, one simple action, one big smile — that's the whole game, and it does more for your child's listening than any worksheet ever could.* ## In short The OneStep Command Game ("Simon Says" style) is a playful way to help your child listen to, hold onto, and act on a single spoken instruction. You give one short command — "Touch your nose", "Jump", "Clap" — and celebrate when your child does it. It builds receptive language, attention and following-directions, and you can play it for five minutes anywhere at home. ## How to play it at home **Start very simple** - Use one clear action your child already knows: "Clap your hands," "Touch your head," "Wave bye." - Say it once, slowly, and pause. Give your child time to process before you help. - If they don't respond, gently model it yourself — "Like this!" — then try again. **Build it up gradually** - Add a fun "Simon says" twist only once single commands are easy and joyful. - Mix body actions ("stamp your feet") with object commands ("give me the ball"). - Keep your sentences short — one verb, one object. Long instructions overload little listeners. **Keep it warm and winning** - Celebrate every correct response with a cheer, clap or high-five. - Take turns — let your child be "Simon" and command you. Reversing roles builds expressive language too. - Play in short bursts: 5 minutes before bath, in the car, while waiting for dinner. **Make it easier or harder** - Easier: pair your words with a gesture, slow right down, offer two choices. - Harder: drop the gestures so your child listens to words alone, then try two-step commands ("clap, then jump") once one-step is solid. ## When to ask for guidance Most children grow into following single instructions naturally with this kind of play. If by around age 2 your child rarely responds to simple commands even without gestures, seems not to hear you, or the play stays frustrating week after week, it's worth a friendly developmental check rather than waiting. Pairing this game with [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) support can make listening skills click faster. ## The Pinnacle way A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — this home game is for everyday practice and bonding, not assessment. Our therapists can show you how to grade the [OneStep Command Game](/onestep-command-game-simon) to exactly your child's level, and the clinician-administered [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) gives an objective baseline so you can see listening skills grow. Explore more [communication](/communication) play ideas with our team. ## Trusted sources Aligned with American Speech-Language-Hearing Association guidance on building receptive language and following directions, CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." communication milestones, and AAP HealthyChildren resources on play that supports early language. **Next step —** to learn how to tailor this game to your child and track their listening progress, message the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 or book a developmental check. This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - ASHA — building receptive language and following directions: https://www.asha.org - CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. — communication milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP HealthyChildren — play that supports early language: https://www.healthychildren.org ## Connected topics and perspectives - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication - Find Activities: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/find_activities - Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment ## Related question paths ### At home & in everyday life - How to Play Interactive Game Simon at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-interactive-game-simon-with-my-child-at-home - How to Play the Following Directions (Simon) Game at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-following-directions-game-simon-with-my-child-at-home - How can I work on Command-Based Games with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-commandbased-games-with-my-child-at-home - How can I work on Simon Says with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-simon-says-with-my-child-at-home - How can I work on OneStep Command with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-onestep-command-with-my-child-at-home - How to Play Receptive Language Simon Says at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-receptive-language-simon-says-with-my-child-at-home