I visited my public library the other day for purposes of research. Public libraries are a wonderful resource in our communities. One can leisurely and quietly browse through stacks of books, magazines, movies, and music. There is something magical about handing over your library card and getting all those wonderful materials in return. My library even has a little coffee shop—I imagine to compete with the retail booksellers. As I walked down the aisles, I wondered if children today even know what the Dewey Decimal System is. So much is available on the internet and book stores. Do they even know how to locate a book in a library?
As I searched for the selections on my long list, I came across a book full of fun and silly ideas for children’s play time. Old Fashioned Children’s Games by Sharon O’Bryan contains more than 200 old fashioned children’s games, activities and songs. It showcases outside games, car games, card games, singing games and campfire songs, and party games.
In the introduction, Sharon asks, “What’s happened to old-fashioned children’s games? For centuries kids delighted in games of all sorts—running and jumping games, guessing games, sing games. These games were in integral part of their physical and psychological development.”
Electronic and computer games have all by taken over. And, although these high tech games provide some mental stimulation, they don’t encourage camaraderie, physical activity, coordination and social interaction as the old-fashioned games do. Could we lose these cherished traditions if they are not passed down?
These retro or old school games stimulate imagination, increase self-confidence, develop memory skills, and are just plain fun. As Sharon writes of playing Hide-and-Seek on a steamy summer night or creating snow angels in freshly fallen snow, memories of my childhood with my friends and brothers are rekindled.
Jump Rope, Hop Scotch, Red Rover, Jacks, Marbles, Tag, Pom Pom Pull Away, Marco Polo. . .
These games could be cool again. They are simple, inexpensive, and fun! They allow children the opportunity to ask other children to “come out and play” in their neighborhoods and parks. They teach communication and negotiating skills and physical fitness. If there are not enough children for a particular game, children can always choose a different game and visa versa. Some games can even be played alone.
According to Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology at Boston College, Play is, first and foremost, an expression of freedom. It is what one wants to do as opposed to what one is obliged to do. The joy of play is the ecstatic feeling of liberty. Play is not always accompanied by smiles and laughter, nor are smiles and laughter always signs of play; but play is always accompanied by a feeling of “Yes, this is what I want to do right now.”
As I searched for the selections on my long list, I came across a book full of fun and silly ideas for children’s play time. Old Fashioned Children’s Games by Sharon O’Bryan contains more than 200 old fashioned children’s games, activities and songs. It showcases outside games, car games, card games, singing games and campfire songs, and party games.
In the introduction, Sharon asks, “What’s happened to old-fashioned children’s games? For centuries kids delighted in games of all sorts—running and jumping games, guessing games, sing games. These games were in integral part of their physical and psychological development.”
Electronic and computer games have all by taken over. And, although these high tech games provide some mental stimulation, they don’t encourage camaraderie, physical activity, coordination and social interaction as the old-fashioned games do. Could we lose these cherished traditions if they are not passed down?
These retro or old school games stimulate imagination, increase self-confidence, develop memory skills, and are just plain fun. As Sharon writes of playing Hide-and-Seek on a steamy summer night or creating snow angels in freshly fallen snow, memories of my childhood with my friends and brothers are rekindled.
Jump Rope, Hop Scotch, Red Rover, Jacks, Marbles, Tag, Pom Pom Pull Away, Marco Polo. . .
These games could be cool again. They are simple, inexpensive, and fun! They allow children the opportunity to ask other children to “come out and play” in their neighborhoods and parks. They teach communication and negotiating skills and physical fitness. If there are not enough children for a particular game, children can always choose a different game and visa versa. Some games can even be played alone.
According to Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology at Boston College, Play is, first and foremost, an expression of freedom. It is what one wants to do as opposed to what one is obliged to do. The joy of play is the ecstatic feeling of liberty. Play is not always accompanied by smiles and laughter, nor are smiles and laughter always signs of play; but play is always accompanied by a feeling of “Yes, this is what I want to do right now.”
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