Recently the children at ECLC have been
loving to play games with rules. These
games require a small group of children
to become involved together, working
towards the goal of completing the game
correctly and fairly.
Today the selected game was “Rocket ship blast-off”. This
game requires children to take turns with the spinner to get
a picture card. The card is then turned over to reveal how
many loop-de-loops were made from the blasting off rocket
ship. The aim of the game is to have the most loop-de-loops
in your rocket ship tail smoke.
Tamariki took turns with the spinner, and were also
encouraging each other to try again if the spinner was not
spinning correctly. They engaged reciprocal and positive
social skills as they interacted together. They were
developing an understanding that games with rules require
everyone to work towards a common goal- in this case
having fun and enjoying the slight competitive nature of the
game.
At the end of the game everyone helped each other to count
their loop-de-loops, ending the game with excited remarks
to the winner about how well they had played. Of course the
game was then followed up by a second and even a third
round with many children enjoying and learning with and
alongside their peers.
ECLC is a rich social environment where children learn
through becoming involved with their peers. As children
work with each other in games that have a slight
competitive nature, they are learning to play fair and enjoy
the rules and atmosphere of helping others, cheering others
on and being proud of their peers. They are learning how to
be understanding of one another’s feelings. The teachers
will continue to provide an environment where children can
learn alongside their peers, and model to the children the
qualities of teamwork and co-operation.