Cross-Eyed

Cross-Eyed -It's in the details

Cross Eyed is a simple but intriguing pattern matching game. Many of the patterns look similar but different, requiring you to focus on the details.

There are 24 large cards, each with a different pattern (see image below). The patterns are symmetrical, so it doesn't matter which way they are turned. The 96 small cards have the identical patterns as the large cards, and there are four small cards to match each large card. 

There is a timer involved as the game is also based on speed. I typically don't use the timer in therapy where a person is learning, unless they are playing against me and I can adjust how fast I play.

Object:

Have the most points at the end of the game by matching small to large cards.

Set up:

Deal the small cards evenly between players. Divide the large cards into two piles and set them, face up, in front of the players. 

Play:

When the word is given to begin, the timer is started and all players sift through their stack of small cards looking for the exact match to either of the large cards displayed. When a player finds a match, he takes the large card and sets it and the small card aside, revealing the next large card in the pile to match. This continues until the timer runs out. Four rounds like this is a game. The small cards have a number on the top and bottom border. This is the point value for that set. Add up your points. The one with the most points wins.

Try this:

• Start slow by placing 2 large cards in front of the individual and giving him one matching small card. Ask them to find the large card that matches the pattern on the small card. Start with three large cards, then four, etc.
• Skip the timer. Play until all the large cards have been taken. Count your sets, the one with the most is the winner.
• Start by putting the large cards in a 2X2, 3X3, or 4X4 grid. Give the individual a stack of small cards. As he matches a large card and takes it, replace it with a new large card. Play until all the large cards have been taken. Start slow and make the grid larger as the player can watch more cards at once.
• Ask the individual to hold the cards in the palm of the non-dominant hand and push the top card off one at a time with the thumb to deal. Grab it with the dominant hand as it comes off the deck.
• Ask the player to stack his deck of small cards in front of him on the table top and take the cards off one at a time without tipping over the pile or sliding extra cards off.
• Play with the small cards only and sort out several sets (four of each pattern will make a set). Place one of each set in a stack. Shuffle and place the other cards face up on the table. Give the individual one card and ask them to find all the matching cards (there will be three to find and the one the player holds will make four total). Either pick the cards up as you go, making the game easier and easier as there will be fewer and fewer cards, or leave them where they are and point to them.
• Place the large cards on the table (start with fewer for an easier game). Choose one of the small cards and verbally, without showing the card, describe the pattern. Can the player find it on a large card by the description. Use positional language such as there are three red crosses in the left top corner and three in the right top corner. Or there is a line of red crosses from the top left hand corner that extends to the bottom right hand corner.
• Choose a single feature from the large card to look for on your small deck, such as there is a single X in the middle, or three x's in each corner, or a border of x's. Then only stop on cards that have that one feature and check those further, instead of trying to memorize or compare the whole design to each card.
• Work on visual discrimination, figure ground, spatial relations, visual memory, manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, shuffling/dealing/holding cards, socialization skills, process skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
  
  
  In the box: 96 small cards, 24 large matching cards, 1 timer
   

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.