LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR,

CHILDREN'S BUREAU, Washington, October 20, 1922. SIR: There is transmitted herewith a brief manual of games for organized play adapted from standard sources by Martha Travilla Speakman, of the staff of the Children's Bureau.

This manual was prepared at the request of the Commissioner of Education of Porto Rico, and in conference with the teachers of Porto Rico, while the Children's Year Survey was in progress in the island.

Respectfully submitted.

Hon. JAMES J. DAVIS,

GRACE ABBOTT, Chief.

Secretary of Labor.

A BRIEF MANUAL OF GAMES FOR

ORGANIZED PLAY.

HOW TO TEACH GAMES.

Games, like arithmetic and reading, must be graded. To enjoy a game the child must understand it. Little children find the greatest pleasure in playing simple games, often games of "make-believe and repetition," but always simple games. Older children demand games that are much more complicated and much more individual, while still older boys and girls take the greatest interest in playing team games, where competition is the chief factor.

The teacher can do a great deal by selecting the right games and by seeing that all the children are included in the games.

Try to awaken in every child a sense of alertness by quickening his senses of hearing and seeing. Make every child feel that he is a part of the game, so that he will get the fun out of it as well as the physical exercise.

Choose games that will be so interesting that all your children will want to play, and you will be taking a big step toward making them good citizens.

In teaching new games there are several very important things to remember:

1. Plan your program of games and folk dances so that it will include both active and quiet play. This will keep the children from getting tired and they will enjoy the play period more than if the games were not planned.

2. When explaining a new game, have the children stand in a circle. It is easy to maintain quiet and order this way.

3. Choose clever children to start a new game. Then, after the class understands the game, choose the dull ones and let them take an active part; thus the child who needs to be taught alertness can be taught to be alert by playing such games as "Midnight." 4. Give every child a chance.

5. Make the game easy enough at first, then gradually make it more difficult. Let the children find out the point of the game themselves. It gives them great joy to discover.

6. Make rules and stick to them. Fair play is most important.

7. Don't play confusing games. To do so spoils the child's pleasure.

8. Develop reason and judgment about risks and dares.

9. Encourage the timid pupils to give dares and to take risks. 10. Don't make the games too serious. Get laughter out of them. 11. Team play is most important, especially for older children. 12. Honor. It is far better to lose than to do anything that is dishonorable.

13. Put yourself into the game that you are teaching and the children will catch your spirit.