Play WITH Them
Kids are not good with taking direction. Plus, they are more inclined to do something if they see you do it too! Playing with a child involves actively observing, listening, supporting, talking, and understanding.
Try playing “follow the leader” through the first couple rounds of a station demo.
If you’re working on something all together (bear walks for example), get down there and do them too!
Get into a theme! If you are all being animals one week – be an animal too! Make noises, walk like the animal.