The Value of Games: Putting Play Back Into Practice for Children

This work brings together a collection of games that have been a part of childhood through the ages, games that continue to be played in various forms around the world. Many anthologies of folktales, music, and other forms of art have been collected for readers, but there are not many works on the subject of traditional childhood games and their role in the important "work" of childhood, which is in fact play. This book helps to meet a growing interest among educators and parents to encourage natural play and creativity in a world that is increasingly digital. Directions, descriptions, illustrations, of traditional childhood games, supported by educational theory are included. The material covered will not only help parents and educators to support children in play, but will also provide an anthology for consultation by those who see the need to preserve traditional play long associated with childhood.

Dr. Kaye Bennett Dotson, an Associate Professor in Library Science, focuses her scholarship and research on school librarians and the impact they may have on future generations. Dr. Dotson’s recognition of the significance of play in teaching and learning, and the need to preserve the role of play in the lives of children, inspired this work.