Games Without Music for Children Part 11

and a stone or pebble is put at the place marked ==.

The object of the game is to pa.s.s the pebble into each square with one foot only, following the numbers in order. The child who is to begin the game stands near the pebble, while the children say:--

Here is a game for you, hippity, hop, Into the next place you make the stone pop.

The child then sends the stone into No. 1 square (hopping on one foot), from that into Nos. 2, 3, 4 and so on. If the stone be sent outside the square into which it should go, the player is out, and another begins.

The child who first gets the pebble into No. 10 square, having pa.s.sed it into each of the others successively, keeping on one foot all the time, wins the game.

49. _MAKING A CHAIN_

The game is started by one child who catches another and says:--

I have caught you, come away, Let us make a chain to-day.

The two then join hands and catch another, repeating the same words; then the three start off and catch another, and so on until all are caught.

The last child caught starts the game again, or the completed 'chain'

may form a ring and play one of the ring games, Nos. 40, 41, 42.

50. _MOTHER, MAY WE GO OUT TO PLAY?_

One corner of the playground may be the 'house' in which the 'mother'

sits. If the game is played by the children elsewhere, they will probably mark out the shape of the 'house' on the ground with stones or pebbles, a practice of which they are very fond. The children come to the 'house' where the 'mother' sits, and standing in front of her, ask:--

_Children_: Mother, may we go out and play?

_Mother_: Yes, good children, that you may.

The children then run away, and after a little while return to the mother; she asks:--

_Mother:_ Where have you been?

_Children:_ Away up the hill.

_Mother:_ What have you seen?

_Children:_ A house by a mill.

_Mother:_ Who was there in it?

_Children:_ A little, old man.

_Mother:_ What said he to you?

_Children:_ Catch me if you can.

The children then run off, and the 'mother' chases until she has caught one or more; these are kept prisoners in the 'house,' and the game proceeds until all are caught except one, and she is the 'mother' when the game begins again.

III. GUESSING RHYMES

_Notes._--The Guessing Rhymes are intended to be read by the teacher to the children, who then try to find out the word. The verse should be repeated slowly two or three times before the children are asked to guess. At first only the familiar and well-known objects should be given, and even then it will sometimes be necessary to a.s.sist the imagination of the children by a question or two. Before reading the rhyme, the teacher should say whether it is a flower, object or animal, &c., that is to be guessed.

The rhymes about animals, flowers, and natural phenomena will not be difficult to the children if these subjects have been included in their object lessons, or have formed the subject of 'morning talks' (see p.

14, 'Kindergarten Guide').

The Nursery Rhymes will have been learnt by the children when they were in the Babies' cla.s.s, and the rest of the rhymes belong to fairy tales that are commonly told to all children.

_MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS_

51. I'm tied up in a basin And boiled well in a pan, And then turned out and eaten, So guess me if you can.

PUDDING.

52. Two hands I have, my face is round, In father's pocket I am found, My hands do move, I make a noise, Now guess me quickly, girls and boys.

WATCH.

53. Are there cobwebs, is there dust, Are there crumbs upon the floor?

Then you surely bring me out From behind the pantry door, And on sweeping days I'm seen, Making all things nice and clean.

BRUSH.

54. Sometimes I'm made of willows, But oftener of wood, Four legs they always give me, Or else I am no good; A back I should have also, And two strong arms as well, Now if you think it over, My name you soon should tell.

ARM-CHAIR.

55. You have me in your pocket, I'm square and white, 'tis true, And many things I'm used for By children, such as you.

POCKET-HANDKERCHIEF.

56. I may be white, I may be brown, You draw me up or pull me down, At night I'm mostly down, you know, But in the morning up I go.

WINDOW BLIND.

57. I glide along or fast or slow, And only on the water go; I'm long and narrow, and you see My pointed end [bow] that first should be; The broad end always goes behind [stern], And both have names as you will find.

BOAT.

58. By steam alone I move and go, Men have an engine down below; Long journeys oftentimes I make, When o'er the sea my way I take.

STEAMER.

59. I skim so lightly o'er the sea, With wings outspread like bird so free, What are my wings? [sails] and do you see How o'er the waves they carry me?

SAIL BOAT.

60. The fire burns very slowly, You come to look for me, I blow it till it blazes, All bright and cheerfully; I'm partly made of leather, The rest is iron and wood, I always have a round hole, Or else I am no good.--BELLOWS.

61. I'm made of wood, or made of clay, And used at any time of day; When father comes from work at night, Perhaps he takes me, strikes a light, And puffs--ah, then what do you smell?

Now surely you my name can tell.

PIPE.

_ANIMALS_

62. I watch your house all night, When you're asleep, my dear, If any thief should come, My voice you soon would hear.

DOG.