INDOOR GAMES FOR A WINTER DAY

The weather outside is frightful,

But inside our game is delightful.

And since we can’t go out to play

Here are some indoor games for today.

Silent Touch
This is a great game to quiet children and build memory skills. The first child gets up and touches an object and then sits down. The second child gets up, touches the first object, then touches an additional object. The third child touches the first object, second object, and adds a third object. The game continues as classmates touch what the previous children have touched in sequential order and then add a new item. When a child forgets, simply begin the game all over again.

Four Corners (This is the BEST indoor game ever!)
Number each of the corners in the room ~ 1, 2, 3, 4. (You can write the numerals on paper and hang them up if you want.) Choose one person to be “it.” “It” hides their eyes and slowly counts from one to ten as the rest of the class tiptoes to a corner in the room. When “it” says “freeze,” everyone must be in a corner. “It” then calls out a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) and the children in that corner are out of the game. They sit down in the “stew pot” in the middle of the room. “It” counts to ten again as everyone moves to a new corner. The game continues until there is one person left. That person becomes the new “it.”
Hint! Shorten the game by having “it” call out two corners at a time.

*If there is no one in the corner, ask “it” to call out another number.

*Label the corners with letters, numbers, sight words, vocabulary words, etc.


Detective
One child is the “detective.” The detective describes a “missing child” (classmate), giving their eye color, hair color, description of clothing, likes, etc. The first person to identify the missing child gets to be the new detective.

Hint! Here is another variation of this game. Send the detective out in the hall. Select one child and hide him or her under your desk or behind a shelf. The detective returns to the classroom and tries to identify the missing child. (You can also let two children exchange seats and see if the detective can spot the switch.)


Hot Potato
You can use a small ball, bean bag, or stuffed animal for this game. Children sit or stand in a circle. Children begin passing the “hot potato” (ball or bean bag) around the room when the music starts. Explain that it is a “hot potato” and they need to pass it quickly to the next friend. When the music stops, the one holding the “hot potato” is out of the game and must leave the circle. If two children are holding it they are both out. The last child remaining is the winner. Begin the game again.




Silent Ball
You will need a small, soft ball for this game. Explain that the object of the game is to see how many times you can toss the ball without talking. Look at the person you are throwing the ball to so they will be ready. Silently count how many times we can throw the ball without talking or dropping it. If someone talks or drops the ball, then the game begins all over again.

Tower Topple
This game is similar to Jenga. Have children get a block and then sit in a circle. The first child begins building the tower by placing her block in the middle of the circle. The second child places his block on top of hers...The game continues as children try to build the tower higher and higher. When it falls over every shouts "tower topple" and the game begins again.


Going On A Trip
The first player begins by saying, “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking (names an object).” Second player says, “I’m going on atrip and I’m taking (names first object and names a second
object).” Next child says, “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking(names first object, second object, and names a third object).” The game continues as each player tries to remember previous
objects. When a player forgets, begin the game all over again.

*You can also name objects in alphabetical order. For example, the first person says something that begins with an “A,” the second person names something that begins with a “B,” and so on.
Change the game to “going on a picnic,” “going to the moon,” etc.


Penny ~ Penny
One person is “it.” “It” chooses three friends to leave the classroom. While the three are out of the room, “it” walks around the room and places a penny in one child’s hands. All the children
cup their hands as if they are holding the penny. The three children are then called back into the classroom. The three walk around the room opening hands until one finds the penny and says, “Penny, penny, I found the penny!” That child then becomes “it” and the game continues.

*Let children hide a seasonal toy, such as a bunny or a pumpkin.
*Play a similar game by having one child leave the room as youhide a small object. Guide her to the object by saying “cold” when she is far away and “hot” as she gets closer to the object.

Charades
Children will have fun “performing” and “stumping” their classmates with this game. One child at a time gets up in front of the room. The child acts out a nursery rhyme as her friends try to guess which one it might be. The first child to guess correctly gets to act out the next rhyme. (You might need to suggest rhymes to younger children.)

*Children could also act out book titles, songs, feelings, animals, or other categories.
*Children can make sounds or simply pantomime.
“Statues” is a similar game where children work in groups and freeze in position to symbolize a book, song, or other event.

SEL AND EF

So, what do social emotional learning and executive function have in common? Feeling good about yourself and learning how to cooperate and work with others are paramount in every person's life. But how are children ever going to develop these skills as they sit in front of a screen? Here are a few simple strategies that might brighten your school day and nurture the WHOLE child.

Social Play
Vygotsky maintained that dramatic play is where children learn to regulate themselves. They take on imaginary roles and must stick to their roles and adjust to changing plots.

Note! Isn't it frustrating that every expert on SEL and EF emphasize the importance of play, while increasingly play is disappearing from our classrooms and children’s lives!!!


Sing and Dance
Music is the perfect opportunity for students to learn to follow directions and develop self-regulation.


IPhone
You can use a play phone or make your own "I" phone similar to the one below. Start each day by passing the phone around the class and asking each child to say a sentence about what they want to learn or do that day. “I …..” Only the person holding the phone is allowed to talk!




Classroom Experts (Karen Stone)
Every student can see themselves as an “expert” with this idea. Make a poster with areas of expertise, such as cutting, writing numerals, writing letters, spelling, tying shoes, etc. Children get to sign their name and put their picture on the poster where they feel they are an expert. Students must consult at least “3 experts” before asking the teacher.


Compliment Circle
Children sit in a circle and the teacher begins by giving a child a compliment. The first child then passes on a compliment to another friend and so on until everyone has had a turn giving and receiving a compliment.
*Let children toss a sponge ball or bean bag around as they compliment each other.
*Give a “hand hug.” Teacher squeezes the first child’s hand, then
they continue to pass the “hand hug” around the circle until it gets
back to the teacher.
*Let each child “pass” a smile around the room.


Brain Hug
Teach children how to give themselves a “brain hug” and you will also help them gain self-control and center themselves.
Thumbs up. (Extend arms in front of you with thumbs up.)
Thumbs down.
Cross your wrists.
Clasp fingers.
Bring your clasped fingers down and in towards your chest and hug yourself.

Pat on the Back
Students raise their right hand, stretch it across their body, and pat their left shoulder as they say, “Good job! Good job!”



*Cut hands out of construction paper. Write positive comments for students and tape them on their backs.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR RECESS!

Ask any child what their favorite thing at school is and without a moment's hesitation they will say, "RECESS!"

                                                    

Here is some valuable information from experts that confirms why recess should be an essential component of the school day.

In “Give Students Time to Play” Debbie Rhea explains:

Kids are built to move. Having more time for unstructured outdoor play is like handing them a reset button. It not only helps to break up their day, but it also allows them to blow off steam, while giving them an opportunity to move and redirect their energy to something more meaningful once they return to the classroom.

When a human sits for longer than about 20 minutes, the physiology of the brain and body changes. Gravity begins to pool blood into the hamstrings, robbing the brain of needed oxygen and glucose, or brain fuel. The brain essentially just falls asleep when we sit for too long. Moving and being active stimulates the neurons that fire in the brain. When you are sitting, those neurons don't fire.

www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/02/26/22rhea.h33.html

In another article I found that Anthony Pellegrini, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Minnesota, emphasized that the new science of recess says that recess isn’t a waste of time at all:

Having recess is much, much, much better than not having recess…That’s unequivocal, I feel. That’s a no-brainer.
Pellegrini says, “because attacking recess has got this sort of intuitive feel: If you give kids more time doing something, they’ll do better in school. When in fact the opposite is probably the case.” Repeated studies have shown that when recess is delayed, children pay less andless attention. They are more focusedon days when they have recess. A major study in Pediatrics found that children with more than 15 minutes of recess a day were far better behaved in classthan children who had shorter recess breaks or none at all.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Recess_Elementary/

One more fascinating article I found was “Get Tech out of Schools.” Researcher Patricia Greenfield argues that:

Precisely because young people spend so much time with digital media outside of school, schools must offer them a very different kind of education in order to even the cognitive scales. In Greenfield’s view, this means reading copious amounts of old-fashioned literature—just what young people are not doing (according to research) on their own time…. schools could also strive to provide more of the face-to-face contact, the in-person social interaction, that has been largely displaced by young people’s use of Facebook, Twitter, and texting in their off-hours.

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/08/technology_in_the_classr

I’m obviously a believer in play and recess, and you must be as well if read my blogs. This is some powerful information that I hope you can share with your parents, administrators, and legislators!

Note!  Yes, I definitely support physical education, but children also need and deserve unstructured RECESS!

HOORAY FOR RECESS!!!

I’m obviously a believer in play and recess, and you must be as well if read my blogs. Recess (aka free play) is just as important as any other subject because children use all of their senses and can interact socially with their friends. Recess nourishes the WHOLE CHILD - physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. With the social-emotional crisis in our classrooms, recess may be the miracle that all children (and adults) need!!!

Below is some powerful information that I hope you can share with your parents, administrators, and education decision makers!

In “Give Students Time to Play” Debbie Rhea explains:

Kids are built to move. Having more time for unstructured outdoor play is like handing them a reset button. It not only helps to break up their day, but it also allows them to blow off steam, while giving them an opportunity to move and redirect their energy to something more meaningful once they return to the classroom.

When a human sits for longer than about 20 minutes, the physiology of the brain and body changes. Gravity begins to pool blood into the hamstrings, robbing the brain of needed oxygen and glucose, or brain fuel. The brain essentially just falls asleep when we sit for too long. Moving and being active stimulates the neurons that fire in the brain. When you are sitting, those neurons don't fire. 

Click to read article

Pediatrician Bob Murray at Ohio State University has compiled similar research. As school districts take away recess, Murray’s research is showing that “kids with regular recess behave better, are physically healthier, and exhibit stronger social and emotional development.”

Anthony Pellegrini, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Minnesota, emphasized that the new science of recess says that recess isn’t a waste of time at all:

Having recess is much, much, much better than not having recess…That’s unequivocal, I feel. That’s a no-brainer.

Pellegrini says, “because attacking recess has got this sort of intuitive feel: If you give kids more time doing something, they’ll do better in school. When in fact the opposite is probably the case.” Repeated studies have shown that when recess is delayed, children pay less andless attention. They are more focusedon days when they have recess. A major study in Pediatrics found that children with more than 15 minutes of recess a day were far better behaved in class than children who had shorter recess breaks or none at all. 

Click to read about how recess improves behavior

In “Get Tech out of Schools,” researcher Patricia Greenfield argues that:

Precisely because young people spend so much time with digital media outside of school, schools must offer them a very different kind of education in order to even the cognitive scales. In Greenfield’s view, this means reading copious amounts of old-fashioned literature—just what young people are not doing (according to research) on their own time…. schools could also strive to provide more of the face-to-face contact, the in-person social interaction, that has been largely displaced by young people’s use of Facebook, Twitter, and texting in their off-hours. 

Click to read article by Patricia Greenfield

P.S.  This is one of my all time favorite FB words of wisdom!

LET'S HEAR IT FOR RECESS!

Ask any child what their favorite thing at school is and without a moment's hesitation they will say, "RECESS!"  Now more than ever it is CRITICAL for children to get outside and have free play!!!

Here is some valuable information from experts that confirms why recess should be an essential component of the school day.

In “Give Students Time to Play” Debbie Rhea explains:

Kids are built to move. Having more time for unstructured outdoor play is like handing them a reset button. It not only helps to break up their day, but it also allows them to blow off steam, while giving them an opportunity to move and redirect their energy to something more meaningful once they return to the classroom.

When a human sits for longer than about 20 minutes, the physiology of the brain and body changes. Gravity begins to pool blood into the hamstrings, robbing the brain of needed oxygen and glucose, or brain fuel. The brain essentially just falls asleep when we sit for too long. Moving and being active stimulates the neurons that fire in the brain. When you are sitting, those neurons don't fire.

www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/02/26/22rhea.h33.html

In another article I found that Anthony Pellegrini, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Minnesota, emphasized that the new science of recess says that recess isn’t a waste of time at all:

Having recess is much, much, much better than not having recess…That’s unequivocal, I feel. That’s a no-brainer.

Pellegrini says, “because attacking recess has got this sort of intuitive feel: If you give kids more time doing something, they’ll do better in school. When in fact the opposite is probably the case.” Repeated studies have shown that when recess is delayed, children pay less andless attention. They are more focusedon days when they have recess. A major study in Pediatrics found that children with more than 15 minutes of recess a day were far better behaved in classthan children who had shorter recess breaks or none at all.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Recess_Elementary/

                          

One more fascinating article I found was “Get Tech out of Schools.” Researcher Patricia Greenfield argues that:

Precisely because young people spend so much time with digital media outside of school, schools must offer them a very different kind of education in order to even the cognitive scales. In Greenfield’s view, this means reading copious amounts of old-fashioned literature—just what young people are not doing (according to research) on their own time…. schools could also strive to provide more of the face-to-face contact, the in-person social interaction, that has been largely displaced by young people’s use of Facebook, Twitter, and texting in their off-hours.

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/08/technology_in_the_classr

I’m obviously a believer in play and recess, and you must be as well if read my blogs. This is some powerful information that I hope you can share with your parents and administrators!

                                             

Over the next few days I'll share ways that children can

 LEARN THROUGH PLAY outdoors!