Playing Games
Many classes have begun to play traditional style board and card games with the
students. These games provide opportunities to practice being patient as we wait
our turn, recognizing numerals or colors and advancing the game pieces
accordingly (that build eye hand coordination as well), and learning how to focus
on how we play – we can’t always win but we can always play fairly. It is very
rewarding to watch students play a game of alphabet/animal/color BINGO and
hearing the refrain let’s play again from all the players. The teachers emphasize
the need to play well and with concentration to the rules. We focus on how they
play fairly instead of the outcome.
Students respond excitedly to games and seek to understand the rules and structure
of the game. When introducing a game make sure you explain the rules and all the
possibilities. The appeal of games is that the preschooler recognizes the order and
control of the experience. Playing games together gives students children a
comforting space to learn how to play within the rules and boundaries of the game.
So much of their life is hard to predict and not within their control – board games
give a sense of empowerment as they begin understanding how it all works.
“I Hate You”
Today a student used the phrase “I hate you” to a group of her friends that usually
play together. The other friends knew this was a very heavy word and they sought
help from a teacher. We started with the acknowledgement that this is a very
powerful word and may not really represent what the friend feels inside.
Our students regularly hear the use of this word in the context of expressing a
dislike toward something “I hate traffic” or “I hate waiting in line.” They are also
just learning different ways to express their current frustration – I’m disappointed,
I’m anxious, I’m feeling overwhelmed, or I’m feeling excluded.
We talked to all of the students about the heavy weight of the word and
alternatives to express what was really bothering the friend. The friend
described that she wanted to join the group in play and they wouldn’t let her
play. The group of friends explained they were playing a three person game
and were just finishing up. The group of friends reported that she used the “I
hate you” phrase when they had finished their play and went to her to see if
she wanted to play all together. The friend reported that she felt excluded and
was angry and that is why she used the phrase “I hate you.”
We confirmed that she doesn’t hate the friends, she really likes to play with
them, but that her feelings were hurt when she felt excluded. The other
friends also stated that they could have explained that they were just finishing
a game and would come find her in a few minutes.