Years ago the technology of video amusement and computers weren't around. Instead, groups of children, siblings, and friends with maybe the help of Mom or Dad, would play stimulating games. Games are a method of recreation which incorporate the need to run, chase, skip and jump. Playing games are just plain fun!
Children's learning begins with movement, and through these games, parents can provide visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic skills. Below are a few traditional games (just in case Mom or Dad has forgotten the details) to share with children and friends.
The Grand Old Duke of York
This game is good for learning directions and balance. Have the children march in place with knees up high during the first four lines of this verse. Then on tiptoe to the work "up" and squat to the word "down." Squatting mid-height to the word "half-way." Begin to sing the verse and have the children do the motions as everyone sings together.
The Grand Old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And marched them down again.
So, when you're up, you're up,
And when you're down, you're down,
And when you're only half way up,
You're neither up nor down.
Mother May I?
One child is chosen to be the "Mother." She stands about 50 feet away from the other children and calls to the first player. For example, "Jack, you can take two giant steps." Jack must ask, "Mother, may I?" Mother replies, "Yes, you may."
The game continues as "Mother" gives commands to all of the players to take baby and giant steps toward her. The first child to reach and tag "Mother" will become the new mother. One word of caution, if a player doesn't ask "Mother may I?" she will lose her turn and must stay where she is until she is called on again.
Hot Potato
In this game, have the children sit in a circle on the floor. When the music starts to play, pass a potato around the circle as fast as possible. When the music stops, the one holding the potato is out of the game. That child moves out of the circle. Continue this game with the music on and off until only one child is left. This child is the winner.
This game can become seasonal or used as a holiday game, by passing objects that are synonymous with the holiday or celebration. For example, a Valentine can be passed in February for Valentine's day, a stuffed bunny can be passed for Easter or spring, and a small pumpkin can be passed for Halloween or fall. This game can be used in multiple ways throughout the year.
Looby Loo
When children play this game, expect lots of movement. The children join hands and form a circle. While singing the song, circle clockwise. Stop to do all the actions.
(Verse 1) Here we go looby loo,
Here we go looby light,
Here we go looby loo,
All on a Saturday night.
(Verse 2) I put my right hand in,
I put my right hand out,
I give my right hand a shake, shake, shake,
And turn myself around.
Repeat Verse 1 and now do the other actions for Verse 2. Keep changing actions in verse 2 until the children get tired.
I put my left hand in...
I put my right foot in...
I put my left foot in...
I put my head way in...
I put my whole self in...
Hide the Bean Bag
This traditional game can be played using a bean bag or any household object. Have one child leave the room. The other children can decide where to hide the bean bag. Now, the child returns to the play area and proceeds to find the bean bag. The game is played with clues of "hot" or "cold" that the other children give. Hot means the child is near the object, whereas cold means she is not. When the bean bag is found, another child is asked to leave the room and start the game again.
Enjoy game night together as a family. Remember children learn by playing and traditional games such as The Grand Old Duke of York, Hot Potato, Hide the Bean Bag, Mother May I? and Looby Loo should not be forgotten. It's a time to become creative, to giggle, to move freely, and to just have plain fun!
Tania Cowling - Tania Kourempis Cowling is a former early childhood teacher, a published author of three teacher resource books (Shake, Tap, and Play a ...
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