Goddard Schools Try for World Record in Simon Says

The Goddard School in Lake in the Hills joined a massive game of Simon Says Friday with the hopes of helping break a world record.

Goddard Schools throughout the United States started a game of Simon Says at 12 p.m. Eastern time — which is 11 a.m. here — and are aiming to collectively create the largest game of Simon Says. 

The last Guinness Book of World Record for the largest game of Simon Says was set in June 2007 when 12,215 participants took part at the Utah Summer Games Opening Ceremony.

Michele Clark, owner of the LITH Goddard School, said in an e-mail response she expected around 85 participants — from students to parents to community members — taking part in the Simon Says game at the Lake in the Hills Goddard School on Friday.

Clark will lead the game with the help of a guest "Healthy Hippo" from Characters of Character and will use a microphone to call out Simon Says commands. She said all participants must be accounted for and that video and photos need to be taken of the event. 

"At Goddard we are trying to spread the word the power of play in education.  Children learn through play," Clark said. "Goddard is attempting to spread this message in a big way, by breaking a world record."

The attempt for the world record is a part of the Goddard School's mission to encourage the importance and "power of play," according to a market wire press release. 

Kyle D. Pruett, M.D., Education Advisory Board Member for Goddard Systems, Inc., also stressed the power of playing in groups in a Business Wire press release.

"Playing alone and with others not only builds brain development, it also helps children develop social skills and a sense of ethics," said Pruett, who is also a franchisor of The Goddard School, in the press release. "Play helps children learn to solve problems, teaches regulation of emotions, and builds resilience and confidence."