Games we like to play

I don't want to give the wrong impression that in a Montessori environment that the children never do anything as a whole group. On the contrary we do a lot of things as a big group: birthdays, holiday celebrations, lunch, recess, and outdoor games. Outdoor games are probably the most consistent group activity and all the children who stick around for lunch participate. About ten minutes before the end of recess I'll call out that it's time to clean up and the children know that that's their cue to run their toys to the big blue bin and dash to the side of the school so they can get their 'favorite' spot. The older ones are especially keen on standing in a particular spot,

Normally our games are pretty simple. Things like 'Fishy, fishy may we cross your ocean?", Red light green light, and moving like an animal. We did crab walking the other day and most of the children thought it was hilariously funny, though a few others needed encouragement to even try. All the games we do have very simple rules since even red light, green light is a bit confusing for our younger students.

Photo courtesy of Amazon
(all our domes were picked up by the children
 before I could take a picture!)

And today we had a brand new game to play. Ok, so it really was just Simon says using these colorful domes but the kids thought it was a great new game. After all, it's so much more fun to find a purple dome than it is to touch your nose. And it's even MORE fun when you get to find the purple dome that your best friend is also standing at. And then the teacher asks you to find your favorite color and you not only get to choose but change your mind (just in case you know). Plus what child doesn't want to run around after keeping themselves at a walking pace for the entire morning? Answer: None of the children in our classroom!

They all really enjoy playing, even those who don't fully understand it and those for who it is really easy. We try to keep it non-competitive, not because we don't want them to try hard and feel like they've done a good job, but it should be obvious that there is no way a three year old could keep up with a six year old. Amazingly though children seem to realize this and it's not uncommon for the older ones to handicap themselves. In tag I've seen our biggest and fastest boy purposefully miss the flag when chasing a younger child. In our school they spend enough time with the younger ones to realize that they need to help them, and that if they play too hard they may cause the younger ones to cry. They've learned to give the younger ones a head start, or help them if they fall, and even give them second chances. Mostly without any adult intervention.