Games, Games and More Games in Kindergarten!

A simple game of tag on the Redbud Playground has been the catalyst to look more deeply at the concept of games in kindergarten and all of the life skills that are involved: fair play, taking turns, following directions, sharing, listening to one another, negotiating, being a good sport, encouraging others, and developing strategies to play successfully.

As teachers, we initially noticed that this simple game of tag in the afternoon often ended with hurt feelings, disagreements, and sometimes tears. Individual children would speak to us about their reservations and frustrations yet all voices were not being heard as a whole. It was time for a class meeting to discuss the problem of tag playing in kindergarten and collaborate on some possible solutions. First, everyone was able to share their perspective and talk about what they wanted and needed to play safely and in a fun manner. We quickly discovered that every tag player had been playing their own version of tag and had not checked in with the others to set common ground rules! 

A game of tag

 After several class meetings, the kindergartners clarified class rules about the game, including where base was, how long one could stay on base, and how the tagger or "it" was decided. The tag game players practiced talking to one another about their ideas and they now meet briefly everyday before stepping outside to decide who will be it. Some friends now even volunteer to be it for the game has become fun and fair for all the players, not just those running away from the tagger! It has been amazing to see the maturity and the depth of the kindergartners concern for their classmates, making sure that everyone feels not only included but their ideas and voices are heard and acknowledged as well. New versions or adaptations of the tag game are now decided by the children with a discussion beforehand, entirely without teacher support!  It has been fascinating to see the growing negotiating and compromising skills of five and six year olds.

Candy Land

These initial class meetings about tag also brought up the idea of why we play games, such as: 

• They are fun and kids are supposed to have fun!
• Grown-ups can have fun too.
• You get to be with your friends and family.
• We learn new things.
• If you practice, you can get better.

The conversations naturally led to talking about different kinds of games, favorite games, and games that the kindergartners would like to learn to play. An emergent study of games was born!

Uno

Games have already been a big part of our kindergarten math and literacy curriculum and it has been exciting for the children to add games from home to our classroom spaces. These are wonderful opportunities for the development of language and listening skills as the children are beginning to share favorite games and teach one another how to play new games. 

Memory

The children are also very interested in life size games! We have not been able to find versions of all of our favorites so some kindergarten game designers have talked of making their own and have begun designing games on paper. Our kindergarten classes would love to know of any resources that our lower school community may be able to share with us such as a game designer or inventor that could come speak with us, or maybe you have a game that you would like to come and teach us? 

Giant Size Jenga

The possibilities are endless and we look forward to the unfolding of our latest study. The best part is that not only will a game study be fun, it will support the practice of important life skills such as listening, compromising, teaching others, fair play, being a good sport, and connecting with one another.