GAMES FOR THE SCHOOLROOM

Laying The Breakfast-table
1. SPREAD the cloth--this is the way, Cups and saucers, where are they? 2. Put them at one end in rows, See, a spoon with each one goes. 3. One plate for each person bring, And a napkin i...

The Breakfast Party
This game may be played immediately after the one preceding, or it may be used alone. The children seat themselves at the table, the 'Mother' sitting at one end and the 'Father' at the other. When all the cups are ...

Clearing The Table
(For directions as to laying the table, see game No. 1.) 1. Breakfast over, off we go, To remove the cloth, you know. 2. Put the napkins on the tray, And the plates, too, take away. 3. Cups ...

Weighing
Scales and weights are required for this game. Before commencing let the children see the different weights, and hold them one after the other in their hands. The following rhymes may assist the scholars to rem...

Measuring Game
Before playing this game, the children should be well accustomed to the use of the foot-rule, marked with inches (cost, &c.[1]). Each child should have a foot-rule and measure its book, pencil, desk, &c.; it should...

Shopping
The shopman should stand behind a table or desk, and have articles made up in parcels ready for sale. 'The Shop' described in 'Kindergarten Guide,' p. 230,[1] would do nicely for this game. The children who go sh...

Tying A Bow
Instructions.--The children should be sitting at desks or tables, and each child should have a 3/4 yard length of tape or ribbon, one inch in width, and a book with stiff cover. The teacher should first show how to ...

Thimble Game
Each child should have a thimble, and the teacher should have one also. A short conversation about the thimble should precede the game--how it is smooth inside and rough outside. What makes it rough? What are the l...

Knitting Game
Each child should have a pair of knitting-pins ([A]wooden ones are the best for learning), and the teacher should have a pair also. As the teacher stands facing the children, her left hand is opposite to their righ...

The Sign-post
[Illustration: ------------+ +------------ x ------------+ +------------ ...

Asking Way In Street
Preliminary.--One of her Majesty's inspectors remarked on one occasion that he could judge of the intelligence and manners of a school by the way in which its scholars playing in the street would reply if asked a q...

Politeness In Streets
The streets (p. 26) of Game No. 12 may be utilised for this game. The children should have on their hats and caps, and walk along the streets. The game is intended to teach them how to behave when walking; they sho...

Dressing Children
About a dozen of the older children stand in the centre of the room, and a number of the little ones come in with coat and hat in hand. The older children repeat the verse: Ready for the babies stand, See th...

Father Bringing Presents
Object of Game.--Anyone who has observed children cannot fail to have noticed how very often they have to be prompted to express their thanks for kindnesses received. It is hoped that this little game may be of use...

Going Errands
The children join hands and stand round to form a 'house' and 'garden' (see diagram). A space is left for the gateway of the 'garden.' For 'door' of house see Frontispiece. [Illustration: +------------------...

Taking Father's Tea
A classroom may be used for the 'house' and another for the 'workshop,' or they may both be made by rings of children (see Frontispiece, and description of same on p. 31). Between the 'house' and the 'workshop' the...

Invitation To Play
A house with garden is needed; to make this the children join hands and stand as shown in diagram, p. 32. In the 'house' there should be a 'mother,' and in the 'garden' a number of children playing with ball or ski...

Invitation To Drive
The house and garden described in Game No. 16, p. 32, will do quite well for this also, but the children are to be at work instead of play. One child may be fetching water, another minding the baby, and another wat...

Getting Ready For Bed
This game may be used for a class of children, or for a few only. In the former case, the majority of the scholars would, of course, be lookers-on. Half a dozen boys and girls should be playing in different parts...

Washing One's Self
The teacher may repeat the lines, accompanying them with the actions, which the children imitate, or the children may learn and repeat the words themselves. [1]Wash your hands, dear children all, [2]Palms ...

Asking For Drink Of Water
Preliminary.--This little game may be used to teach children to be courteous to strangers, and it should also teach them how to carry liquid without spilling. Directions.--The school or classroom should be the 'h...

The Fox And The Tiger
Directions.--The 'tiger' (a boy) hides in a 'forest,' which the children make by standing at irregular intervals and representing trees. Each child should name the tree it chooses, the following rhyme gives the nam...

The Coach Game
[Illustration: x x x x 13 14 15 16 x x 11 12 x x 9 10 x x x x 5 ...

The Stable
This game may be played immediately after 'The Coach,' or it may be played alone. Directions.--The 'stable' is formed by a number of children who stand in rows (see diagram) and join hands. [Illustration: ...

Visiting Grandmamma
Directions.--Four little girls are selected to visit grandmamma, and to carry messages and presents to her. Grandma's 'house' is made by a ring of children (see Frontispiece, and description of same on p. 31), and ...

Paying Calls
Directions.--A ring of children form the 'house' (see Frontispiece, and description of same on p. 31) or a classroom may be used for it. A few chairs and a table should be placed in the 'house,' and there should be...

Afternoon Tea
The tea-tray is brought in by one of the children and placed on a table near the 'mother,' who pours out the tea. One of the children carries a cup to the visitor, and hands it to her, asking:-- Will you take a...

Spring Flowers
All the children join to form a large ring, and one of the taller girls stands in the centre to represent 'Spring.' The twelve flowers mentioned in the verses should be represented by twelve children standing at in...

Summer Flowers
This game is played like the game of 'Spring Flowers' (see instructions on p. 56). The girl chosen to represent 'Summer' may repeat the verse given in Guessing Rhyme No. 75, p. 95, and then the 'Flowers' step for...

The Three Bears
This game may be played either in the home, schoolroom or classroom. The words should be learnt previously as a recitation. Materials required.--Three mugs or basins of various sizes, with a spoon in each; three ...

Imitating Cries Of Animals
(A simple game for the very smallest children.) One child comes out to stand in front of the class and says:-- Listen to the cry I make, Then, if you the trouble take, You may guess my name. He th...

Charades
Preliminary.--Everyone knows how fond children are of representing ideas by action. It is for this reason that charades are recommended here. It will, of course, be necessary for the teacher to assist and suggest, ...

Passing The Stick
The children sit round the room, or stand in a semi-circle. The teacher should start the game, standing at the left extremity of the semi-circle, with the stick in her right hand, and repeat the lines:-- On the...

Finding The Thimble
This is a favourite game and can be played with very little noise. At home, all the children would go out of the room except the one who remains behind to hide the thimble, but when played in the school or classroo...

Throwing The Handkerchief
The children stand in a ring, or sit round the room, one child standing in the middle. The handkerchief is thrown from one to another, and the one who is 'out' tries to find a child with the handkerchief in its han...