What types of games were played by colonial children? Colonial Games What types of games were played by colonial children?
Key Questions What games do we still play today that were played during the colonial period? What were toys and games made of? What lessons were children to learn from the games played? What can we learn about colonial culture from studying the games? What will the games you play say to future generations about our culture?
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Clue #6 Games When children of early America had time to play, they frequently enjoyed the same games that their parents and grandparents had played when they were young. Throughout the American Colonial period, and the centuries that followed, these games helped children learn skills they would need later in life.Playing games in early America taught children physical dexterity, how to solve problems, and how to follow directions and rules. Children also learned to be kind, to wait their turn, and to use their imagination.In a quaint little book called "The Pretty Little Pocket Book," published around the time of the American Revolution, is a list of children's games played then. The games mentioned were marbles, hopscotch, jackstones, bowling and many more. The descriptions of these games were given in rhyme and to each description was attached a moral lesson in verse, such as:"Life is a pack of cards. Children's best cards are hearts; Youth is captured with diamonds; Middle age is conquered by a club; While old age is raked in by the insatiable spade."
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Station #1 How would these games have been played? What are the toys and games made of? Use the pictures below to make notes about your ideas.
Station #2 How could the resources have been used to make a game? What games can you name that require NO tools?
Station #3 Computer Visit and explore the following sites for information. http://noahwebsterhouse.org/games.html http://www.ssdsbergen.org/colonial/games.htm
Station #4 Explore the books and pamplets for information.