Great Games for Young Children: Over 100 Games to Develop Self-Confidence, Problem-Solving Skills, and Cooperation (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

As I was setting up for a staff development workshop one night, I overheard one teacher tell another about a little girl who'd had a terrible crying jag over being eliminated from a game of Simon Says. The second teacher clucked in sympathy and the conversation moved on from there. There was no discussion of the fact that perhaps the game should be modified in the future so it didn't make children feel bad-that the intention of a game is to have fun.

You've witnessed it yourself, I'm sure: Children chosen last for teams; children sitting against the wall, watching forlornly as their classmates continue to play Hot Potato without them; and children who engage in the most atrocious behaviors to ensure they're not the ones eliminated from a game of Musical Chairs-Rae Pica, author of the new book Great Games for Young Children

The games in this book provide benefits for the whole child, meaning each game benefits all three domains of child development: cognitive, social/emotional, and physical. These new and classic games, each with a noncompetitive twist, are sure to get children up and moving. You'll find everything you need to know to play over 100 great games, including outside games, musical games, circle games, concept games, and cooperative games. Perfect for rainy days, sunny days, and every day, each game in this book offers heart rate raising, team-building, friend-filled fun!

Rae Pica has been a movement education consultant for 25 years. She is nationally known for her lively workshops and keynote speeches and has shared her expertise with such groups as the Sesame Street Research Department, the Head Start Bureau, Gymboree Play & Music Centers, The Centers for Disease Control, and Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues. She lives in New Hampshire.

About the Author

Rae Pica has been a children's movement specialist since 1980. She is the founder/director of Moving and Learning, a company offering services and materials related to physical activity for children from birth to age eight. A popular speaker and workshop leader, she is also co-creator and host of the radio program "Body, Mind, and Child."

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Gryphon House (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876590067
• ISBN-13: 978-0876590065
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #348,746 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic movement activities that include all..., July 18, 2007

By	School Teacher - See all my reviews

I ordered a few books similar to this one but I am most impressed with this book. The activities seem realistic to do even with a larger number of children. You don't need a bunch of complicated equipment either. Some games require beanbags, balls, hoola-hoops, jump ropes, or nothing at all. Some games are the traditional ones like Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Light, Green Light, and Hot Potato but are modified a little bit to keep all the children engaged. The book is organized nicely and the instructions for each game is simple and easy to understand. I am looking forward to implementing these activities in my classroom.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a resource guide for movement activities, August 20, 2006

By	Mary Frances Hibbert - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was informative and offered many activites that would enhance an early education movement program.