Children Games and how they are alike, and how they have changed in the 19 th century? Jonathan Lyons October 10, 2007 English 111 Honors Tusculum College

Godey’s Lady’s Books Godey’s Lady’s Book 1850 Godey’s Lady’s Book was one of the most popular women's books of the nineteenth century. It had poetry, music, beautiful artwork, and other well known authors work in it. Woman could read this book and learn much about cooking and the ways of the world as well. It served as a learning tool as well as something interesting to read and look at.

“Duck……Duck……GOOSE!” During the nineteenth century, children had a number of games to keep entertained. Small games like “who will wink first” or “duck, duck, goose” were popular games played with the younger children. To the right in “Who’ll Wink First”, two children are having a competition to see who will wink first. This was a typical and easy game to play in the nineteenth century. Simple and small games like this were what kept children occupied then. The older teens were just beginning to see the start of football and other large sports. So they were not as active in these sports until later in the century. They still played the basic games; similar to what kids may play today. “Who’ll Wink First” from Godey’s Lady’s Book July Edition 1861

Did working children have time for play? Children in the nineteenth century had to work and go through a much stricter regime of chores than children of today. Kids had to begin work at a much younger age. Today there are strict labor laws and other regulations that keep children from many of the hard things that children of the nineteenth century had to endure. Yet, all the hard work and chores they had to endure, they still had time to enjoy different games and activities that today’s children have forgotten or never been taught. Back then, kids had to use what they had to have fun. It usually was not much. Most of the time it was just hanging out with friends and siblings and coming up with there own games. If not for them, then we would not have the majority of the games that we play today.

Different Religions Computers ATV’s (all terrain vehicles) Gaming Consoles Television Internet School Activities Sports Etc. What affects today’s children

“Winter” from Godey’s Lady’s Book July Edition 1861 Yet, children games of the nineteenth century were much like those that kids play today. “Hide and seek” and “Tag” were among the popular games. Today, we can still see them being played in the backyard of almost every neighborhood. In Godey’s Lady’s Book, a nineteenth century series of journals with information and articles for women, there are many pictures and examples of games children played. “Winter” is a picture of three kids playing in snowy weather. A typical “girls attacking the boy” scene is portrayed. Back then, kids still acted as kids today do. They were not affected as much as one might think.

“Bob Cherry” from Godey’s Lady’s Book July Edition 1861 They did not have as many things to do then as we do know. In the picture to the right, “Bob Cherry”, a popular game played by nineteenth century children, is being played between three young children. It is in a way like bobbing for apples. Small and simple games like this were played instead of the high tech expensive games of today. In the nineteenth century, children did not have the computers, electric guitars, ATV’s, or football teams to play with or get involved in as we do know. Football and organized sports were just beginning to be born then so they could not participate in those. Guitars and other technologies that we have today were not to be around for another century at least. So simple games like this were key to overcoming boredom in the nineteenth century.

Today children have many things in common with the kids of the nineteenth century. The nineteenth century had little time for children to play and have fun, but when they did, it was usually fun. Kids today sometimes forget that you do not have to have a million dollars to have fun, or have a brand new dirt bike to have fun. All we need is an imagination and the willingness to try something that we have not experienced before. If we could realize that all the technologies and other things are not necessary to have fun, then I believe we would all be better off. How better off would we be? We would be more creative. We would not be as lazy. We would make more friends. We would have more interaction with our peers. We would have more knowledge of what used to be. Knowledge = Power

CORSARO, WILLIAM A. "Play" Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society. Ed. Paula S. Fass. Vol. 2. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, pp. 3 vols. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. Tusculum College. 7 Oct S&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&docId=CX &eisbn= &source=gale&userGroupName=tusculum&version=1.0.Play S&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&docId=CX &eisbn= &source=gale&userGroupName=tusculum&version=1.0 Godey’s Lady’s Book 1861 “Godey’s Lady’s Book”. Rochester. October 9,