Introduction
Childcare involves a wide range of activities that are directed to providing an all round benefit for the children. Games are very important aspects in the development process of children and it is therefore appropriate to have them integrated in children’s daily activities. There are a variety of traditional games which differ with culture of the society in which children live. However, recent games have come to level this diversification since they are played by children all over the world regardless of where they live.
Extensive studies concerning children’s games and their effects have shown that children are able to learn a lot of things through playing games. This principle has been found to show great effectiveness to babies as well as older children since they have a better understanding of things when they practically do them rather than when they are given theoretical directions. Information on children’s games is very important to parents, caretakers and teachers in order to assist them in the process of choosing the best game for their children and also get an idea on how they are played. Murphy (1997 p.10)
Background Information
Quite a number of families all over the world have become victims of the current economic crisis which is being felt by almost everyone in some way. Therefore, it has become a major challenge to meet the basic needs and at the same time buy toys for the children. This has made children to become very innovative where they make toys for themselves and also invent their own games. For instance, they make use of bottle caps to construct toys’ wheels while plastic scrap is used together with a string to come up with makeshift kites.
However, some recent games are hard to invent as they require computers and/or videos in order to be played. Materials used to pay these games are not locally available to children, which make it hard for them to pay if their parents cannot afford to buy them computers and video players. The traditional ones are therefore found to fit better in the current economic crisis leaving parents with the burden of meeting other basic needs.
Takraw
Takraw is a game that is mostly played by children in Thailand and it has a high level of similarity with hackeysack game played in U.S. A grapefruit sized small ball that is very hard is used while playing takraw. In comparison to takraw, balls used in hackeysack are not as hard which is the main difference between the two games. Children from Thailand make takraw from materials of natural fiber that is woven to come up with a very hard ball. Players position themselves around a circle from where they make passes to each other in a circular motion.
The funny thing about takraw is that it is played with the use of feet, shoulders, heads and legs but not hands. Children in Thailand love Takraw very much to a point that they can start it anywhere and play it with almost anyone including strangers. For instance, it can be started at a bus station by some of the people waiting to travel and within a few minutes, it is capable of attracting about fifty players before a bus takes away a portion of them leaving others to enjoy the game. In Thailand, takraw was initially a children’s game but due to the pleasure that players draw from it, it shifted to becoming a national game which is now played by almost everyone irrespective of age.
Virtual Goose
Virtual goose is a recent game that is played by children all over the world and it is normally provided in form of a video. For one to play virtual goose he/she needs to have a computer from which the game is played. However, it is a very simple game since the player is only required to coordinate with the opponent in the game so as to get more points and win. In the actual playing of virtual goose, five circles are provided where one is situated at the middle, two on the left and the other two on the right. The circles on the opposite sides are positioned in such a manner that each takes its corner from where they rotate after a player makes a move by clicking accordingly.
he game is normally controlled by a virtual goose that sits on the circle in the middle and points where the player directs the pointer of the mouse. Before one begins to play virtual goose game, the opponent’s points are normally provided on the left hand side, which the player is supposed to equalize with in order to win. The player’s points are shown on the right hand side and they increase once he/she correctly clicks on the circle that resembles the one at the center. The virtual goose then spins the circle at the middle that changes the pattern which should be determined by the player in the next move. However, if one clicks on the wrong circle, those points that had been accumulated are lost and the player has to start afresh.
Argument
The two games are almost similar in some way since the cooperation of the game occurs in a rotational circular motion. However, they have a big difference between them since takraw is a traditional game while virtual goose is a recent game. Also, takraw is played by several players at the same time while in virtual goose only one player is needed to click accordingly after which the goose changes the pattern of the circle in the middle by rotating it, giving the player another chance to make a move.
Considering the current economic crisis, takraw is the appropriate game for children since a number of parents would not afford to buy computers for their children in order for them to play virtual goose game. Since, takraw can be made from locally available materials; children can easily make the ball and then play which costs them very little money if any. Takraw is also more enjoyable than virtual goose since it is played with other body features rather than hands and requires several players unlike the single player in virtual goose game.
Conclusion
It is clear that, there are a number of games available to children which range from traditional to recent games. Takraw is an example of a traditional game which is played by several players who use their shoulders, legs and heads but one is not allowed to use hands. Virtual goose is an example of recent games which is played by a single player since the opponent is provided in the game. Comparing the two games, takraw is the best game for children as it is less costly, more enjoyable and allows children to cultivate an interaction principle which is not cultivated in virtual goose game.
References
Murphy, Ann. From thumb sucking to schoolyard fights: Rodale, 1997 p.10.
The Child Care Provider Magazine. Web.