101 Life Skills Games FOR Children

Hunter House Inc., Publishers

Contents

Preface................................................xiIntroductionThoughts on Playing with Children......................1Play Therapy and Game Pedagogy.........................3How to Use This Book...................................4A Brief Word on Brevity................................5Key to the Icons Used in the Games.....................5I GamesWhat I Like............................................10What I Can Do..........................................18What I Observe.........................................21You GamesGetting to Know You....................................40Understanding You......................................49Working with You.......................................55We GamesWarming-up Games for the Group.........................66Cooperation Games......................................72Integrating New Classmates.............................83Helping Games..........................................93Aggression Games.......................................120Adding More ImaginationStatue and Sculpting Games.............................146Fairytale Games........................................159Pantomime Play.........................................167Keyword Index..........................................173

Chapter One

What I Like Games 1-5

What I Can Do Games 6-7

What I Observe Games 8-19

1 I Like This Picture

Props: Assorted pictures from magazines (enough for all players); a small table; chairs for all players (optional); soft background music (optional)

Goals

Developing a self-image

Improving the ability to introduce oneself

How to Play: Chairs are arranged in a circle, with a small table in the center. On the table are many postcard-sized pictures of things like houses, a butterfly, a princess, a table with place settings, the sun, and so forth. Everyone takes a turn choosing a picture and, after introducing herself, explains why she likes it. A player may choose a picture that has already been chosen by another player.

Examples

"My name is Lisa. I chose the picture of the sun because I like to lie in the sun."

"My name is Thomas, and I also chose the picture of the sun because it reminds me of our vacation in Italy."

Variation: At the beginning, everybody walks around the pictures, which have been scattered on the floor, while soft music is playing in the background.

Note: It is not very difficult or embarrassing for children to say what they like when they're simply describing a picture-it's much easier than talking about oneself. With groups in which children know each other's names, the name introduction can be omitted. If there is a new child in the group, however, this game can be played as an introduction game.

Reflections

Does anyone in the group like similar things?

Was it difficult for anyone to choose a picture?

Follow-up Games

1-19: I Games * 20-26: Getting to Know You * 41-44: Warming-up Games for the Group * 52-56: Integrating New Classmates

2 The Run-to Game

Goals

Remembering names

Making contacts

Warming up to a group

How to Play: After the players take turns introducing themselves, the leader asks one player to make a statement that describes another person (the statement should be neutral or positive, not hurtful). The others try to guess who the statement is about, and when they think they've figured it out they run to that person as fast as they can and shake her hand. The first person to get there is the winner and gets to make the next statement.

Examples

"His name is Martin."

"Her hair is long and blond."

Variation: After introducing themselves to each other, everybody walks around. The statement is presented while people walk around.

Note: The children should be careful not to bump into each other when they start running. To encourage calm behavior, make a rule that if players bump into each other, they have to sit down until the next statement is announced.

Follow-up Games

4: Evil Fairy's Hat * 7: Guess What I Can Do

3 Wishing Cards

Props: Assorted pictures from magazines (enough for all players)

Goals

Expressing wishes

Fulfilling wishes

Being generous

Learning to do without

Learning that wishes can be deferred

How to Play: After playing I Like This Picture (Game #1), most (if not all) of the players are holding a picture. If you have not played that game before this one, pass pictures of different items to each player. All the players show their pictures for about five minutes and then hold them so the rest of the group can't see them. One player starts the game by putting her own picture down and "wishing" for one of the other cards. At this point, whoever has the card she wished for has to give it to her. After that, the player who gave up his card expresses his own wish and is given the card he desires.

Example: "My hand is empty, I wish for the picture with the sun."

Variation: All players turn over their pictures so everyone can see them. If a player expresses a wish, he or she must also give the name of the person who is holding that picture.

Follow-up Games

4: Evil Fairy's Hat * 26: The Seat on My Right is Empty (with a Twist)

Follow-up Games from 101 More Life Skills Games for Children

13: Missing Person * 68: Birthday Party * 34: Picture Present

4 Evil Fairy's Hat

Props: Assorted pictures from magazines (enough for all players), a hat

Goals

Expressing dislikes

Finding commonalities

How to Play: From the collection of pictures (see I Like This Picture, Game #1), every player takes one that means something negative for him. The players give reasons for their choices and then, saying "I'm going to throw it into the evil fairy's hat," they toss their picture into a hat in the middle of the room.

Example: "I don't like the umbrella because it reminds me of rainy weather."

Follow-up Games

2: The Run-to Game * 5: Good Fairy

Follow-up Game from 101 More Life Skills Games for Children

17: The "I" Museum

5 Good Fairy

Props: Assorted pictures from magazines (enough for all players)

Goals

Learning to avoid stereotypes

Emphasizing the positive

Expressing dislikes

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