Review by BRIGITTE ROZARIO
GAMES WE USED TO MAKE AND PLAY
Publisher: Malaysian Institute of Management
This is a good resource on games Malaysian children have been playing over the years. Most of these you will remember although some may not be very familiar.
There are altogether 52 games listed here. Among them are dodge ball, A-E-I-O-U, congkak, police and thieves and five stones.
The book goes into great detail explaining the items needed and how many children can play the game. Then there are instructions on how to play each game. There are even illustrations to jog your memory.
The book also lists the skills and competencies needed as well as the skills that will be developed by playing the game.
Each chapter (game) ends with a management quote – about teamwork, excelling and even skills.
It's a great book to have – to reminisce on the games you used to play as a child. And, it's great to share these games with your own children.
Most of the games don't require tools and if they do, then the “tools” are usually some inexpensive items like sticks and stones.
These were games that made us work with our friends, play outdoors and have good fun. It's a far cry from the games played by kids today – on mobile devices and games consoles – which don't cause them to sweat (unless it's a Wii game, of course).
In fact, Games We Used to Make and Play also makes for a good resource for schools and PE teachers.
You will probably not have to read the instructions if you are already familiar with the game as the illustrations will instantly jog your memory.
My personal favourites in this book are the Galah Panjang (Tagging Obstacle Game), Hopscotch and Batu Seremban (Five Stones).
Galah Panjang taught us to use strategy, work as a team and be super fast when the opposing team was not paying attention.
Hopscotch taught us to be agile and to balance while hopping on one foot.
And, Five Stones taught us to be quick and good at our hand-eye coordination.
The next school holidays, I recommend you take the children out of town, leave their videogames at home and bring this book along.
Get the whole family involved in playing some of these games and see what fun you can have. Chances are your kids will want to keep playing those old-fashioned games even when they return home.
I'm sure, like me, you have very fond and happy memories of games played in your childhood. This book will help you reminisce while encouraging your own children to play these games and make memories of their own.
Recommended.