Game Night
| THE PROGRAM: Game Night is
a program in which children and parents work together to
enhance academic and social skills such as reading,
language, memory strategies, following directions, taking
turns, cooperating, following rules and interacting
positively with peers. Game Night promotes an
inherent enthusiasm and motivation for play that can be
utilized for learn ing. We know that play is child's
work. We want parents to understand the importance of
play in a child's life. We begin by inviting parents and
children to come to our school from seven o'clock to
eight-thirty to learn how to play popular board games,
create arts and crafts projects and build with blocks and
legos. Parents, children and staff meet in the library
for a short presentation on the value of play in
children's lives. Following this short meeting, the group
breaks into smaller groups in individual classrooms
facilitated by teachers or volunteers. Children and
parents choose activities set up at centers that they are
interested in learning. The facilitators introduce the
activity by explaining the purpose and language of the
game and demonstrate the rules of play. For the next
forty-five minutes children and parents play at either
one or more centers. The facilitators help parents
process the learning experience. When time is up, parents
and children reassemble the games and put them away. As a
culminating activity, children and parents are invited to
listen to a bedtime story. The importance of reading to
children before going to bed is discussed and the teacher
models how stories are read. Every parent is given a
booklet entitled "Family Fun and Game Night"
describing develop mentally appropriate activities and
games. Books and games are raffled. Parents and children
all leave, happy for the time spent together and thrilled
with their small "treasures." The Students: Approximately eighty K-3 students and their parents, guardians and/or older brothers and sisters participated in this program. This program has been held for the past two years approximately twice each semester. It is easily adapted for other age groups and achievement levels. It could be used as an individual classroom activity as well as a school-wide program. Game Night can be renamed, "Game Day", "Game Hour" or "Game Time". |
The Staff: Mary Anne Drew-Evans,
a Special Education Resource Room Teacher and Maxine
LaRaus, ESL Teacher/Coordinator developed this program.
These teachers have collaborated on several winning
Impact grants over the past ten years. Game Night
has the support of the admin istration, PTA and general
staff. The program can be implemented without support. Materials & FACILITIES: Board games, blocks, legos, arts and crafts supplies. Classroom space or meeting area is needed. Outside Resources: Contributions of games from local store such as Kay-Bee, Toys 'R Us, PTA funding and contributions from parents and staff of used games. Overall Value: This program has a far reaching impact on families. The value of play is directly experienced by those involved. Children develop game language which impacts their social development. They learn life skills such as following directions, taking turns, winning and losing. Parents learn how to read stories to children and are made aware of the importance of playing with and reading to their children. A very significant outcome is that the staff has the oppor tunity to get to know children and families in a non-academic setting which works to improve communication and understanding between teachers and families. RECOMMENDED FUNDING: $200.00 FOR MORE INFORMATION: DEVELOPER: MaryAnne Drew-Evans and Maxine Laraus SCHOOL:
PRINCIPAL: Linda C. Holmes DISTRICT: East Ramapo Central School District |