1957 EVERYDAY GAMES FOR CHILDREN BOOK

EVERYDAY GAMES FOR CHILDREN CARL A. TROESTER, JR. ED. D. 1958 REVISED EDITION THIS book is written for persons interested in, or responsible for, guiding the games and other play activities of children ,from the kindergarten through the eighth grade. Play leaders of all types-teachers, parents, physical educators, playground leaders, and club leaders-should find it useful and practical for a variety of situations in the school, home, and community. It is designed, also, as a text in game courses for undergrad- uate students preparing to teach elementary-school boys and . girls, and as a tool for in-service training of teachers in games and similar activities. Administrators concerli~d with such training are invited to consider this aspect of the matet;'ial. Although the book is not formally divided into two p'arts, there is a natural division after the first three chapters. Chap- ter I sets forth a concept of play and its value in the educa- tion of children. The meaning, source, and potential value of play are discussed with the hope that careful selection, guid- ance, and evaluation of play activities will increasingly con- tribute to more joyful and abundant living for all children. The two chapters on Instructional Planning and Organiza- tional Planning are included to assist leaders in promoting children's recreational interests with a greater measure of success. In the eight chapters following the first three, several hun- , dred games and related ~ctivities are presented under these headings: Dramatic Games; Singing Games; Hide, Chase, and Tag Games; Relays, Stunts, and Pyramids; Ball Games; Ath- letic Games; Classroom Games; and Party Games. This grouping should enable teachers, parents, and other leaders to locate easily any desired activity. In addition, the material is so organized that the reader can quickly determine (1) the grades to which an activity is adapted, (2) the type of activity and size of play area involved, and ( 3) the equipment required. A special effort has been made to describe clearly and thor- , oughly the specific formation and action necessary for success- fully playing each game. In the descriptive text on some play activities, additional variations are included. In all of the activities, modifications can be made to meet the needs of a particular group of children in almost any play situation. Il- lustrative diagrams and photographic reproductions are used hroughout the book to clarify play formations. The alpha- beti~l and classified indexes should prove helpful in selecting ga~es suitable for children from the kindergarten through the eighth grade. If, from the content of this book, teachers, parents, and I>Jay le~ders gain a clearer idea of the meaning and potential value of play in the education of children, gather serviceable sug- gestions for conducting children's games, and receive some " inspirational gleams to light their way, Everyday Games for Children will have achieved its purpose. The author wishes to express his appreciation to Miss Julia Lynch for aid in planning the diagrams, and to the follow- ing persons who helped in various ways: Mrs. Marion Stow- ell, Miss Florence Battle, Miss Helen Manley, Miss Mazie V. Scanlon, Robert Gates, N. L. Andrews, George W. Ayars, and Carroll H. Smith. A number of illustrations for the Revised Edition were obtained through the co-operation of Donald J . Stead, physical education instructor, Central Elementary School, Dansville, New York. Suggestions and constructive criticism were offered by Dr. Mildred A. Dawson, Miss Elizabeth F. Noon, and William D. Conklin. Finally, the author is grateful to his wife, Thelma Schwab Troester, for her constant encouragement and assistance. NO WRITING, BINDING IS INTACT, FIRST FREE ENDPAPER HAS BEEN TORN OUT, SOME SHELF WEAR,