When plans change — sorting cards

Getting going again when a plan changes · 5–9 · Roo Bloom

How to use these pages

Print all the pages. A4, single sided, at 100% — not “fit to page”.
Cut along the dashed lines to make the cards.
Put the two mats on the table, a bit apart.
Read a card out, or let your child read it, and put it on the mat they choose.
The answer key on the last page is for you. It is not for marking — it is so you have the explanation ready when your child asks why.

Put the two mats a little apart. Read a card out, let your child put it where they think it goes, and read the reason on the key after.

CARRY ON

Helps you carry on

STUCK

Keeps you stuck

The cards

Cut along the dashed lines

The playground gate is locked. Leo wanted the slide.
Leo: “Why is the playground shut?”
Mr Reed: “It's being fixed. It opens Friday.”
When plans change · Roo Bloom
The shop has no mango ice cream left today.
Dad: “The mango is all gone today.”
Zara: “I don't like this. I'll have lemon.”
When plans change · Roo Bloom
Noah's teacher is away. Mr Reed is teaching today.
Mr Reed: “I'm teaching your class today.”
Noah waits by the door all morning for his teacher.
When plans change · Roo Bloom
Kai is sick. He can't come over to play today.
Suri: “I'm really disappointed. Can Kai come Saturday?”
When plans change · Roo Bloom
Omar's usual mat spot is taken. Lily is sitting there.
Lily: “I got here first today.”
Omar stands at the back and won't sit anywhere.
When plans change · Roo Bloom
It's raining. Sport on the oval is cancelled today.
Priya: “What are we doing instead?”
the teacher: “Inside games in the hall.”
When plans change · Roo Bloom
The bakery is shut. Finn wanted a cheese roll.
Finn: “I really wanted that cheese roll.”
Finn waits outside the door for it to open.
When plans change · Roo Bloom
Swimming finishes early today. Sam is out of the pool.
Sam: “I'm disappointed. I need a few minutes.”
the coach: “That's fine. Sit here until you're ready.”
When plans change · Roo Bloom
Dad drives a different way home. The usual road is closed.
Dad: “This road is closed. We'll go past the park.”
Hana won't listen while Dad explains the new way.
When plans change · Roo Bloom
Beau's dinosaur show has gone from the tablet.
Mum: “That one has gone from the app.”
Beau keeps tapping the empty spot where the show was.
When plans change · Roo Bloom
The zoo excursion is moved to next Tuesday.
Ines: “Is it still the zoo, or somewhere else?”
Mr Reed: “Same zoo, same bus. Just a different day.”
When plans change · Roo Bloom
Ruby's friend moved the party to a different park.
Dad: “The party is at Bell Park now.”
Ruby keeps asking to be driven to the old park.
When plans change · Roo Bloom

For grown-ups: what each card is about

Cards marked “either” are the interesting ones. Both answers are defensible and the conversation is the point.

1. CARRY ON
Leo found out when the slide is back. Now he can plan.
Ask why, and ask when.
2. CARRY ON
Zara said how she felt and named a flavour she still likes.
Name your second favourite.
3. STUCK
The teacher is away all day, so waiting doesn't change it.
Find out today's plan. — Ask Mr Reed what the plan is today.
4. CARRY ON
Suri said how she felt, then asked when Kai could come.
Say it out loud, then ask when.
5. STUCK
Omar stayed standing, so he missed the story and still had no spot.
Pick the closest free spot. — Sit in the free spot next to Lily.
6. CARRY ON
Priya found out the new plan, so she knew where to go.
Ask what is happening instead.
7. Either
If it opens in five minutes, waiting works. If it's shut all day, try another shop.
Check how long the wait is.
8. CARRY ON
Sam said what he needed, so he got time before the next thing.
Ask for the time you need.
9. STUCK
Dad's new way still ends at home, but Hana didn't hear that.
Listen to what stays the same. — Ask Dad which way the car is going.
10. STUCK
The show isn't in that spot any more, so tapping finds nothing.
Ask what else is there. — Ask Mum which dinosaur shows are still there.
11. CARRY ON
Ines checked what stayed the same, so most of the plan still held.
Find out what stays the same.
12. STUCK
The old park is empty today, so Ruby would miss her friends.
Go where the plan moved to. — Ask Dad for the new park's name.