Baaran Joon Lok Raandiyoon

Games are as old as man himself. Thousands of years ago, in prehistoric times, man had few necessities. No studies, no social work or entertainment. Hunting and making of weapons was the only activity that occupied his walking hours other than eating and sleeping. He must have discovered games quite accidently. Utterly                                               bored with the time he had on hand, he might have stumbled upon a stone which he must have used for hitting another, or to aim at a flying bird, or hitting a fruit. Jumping over ditchers or trenches became a regular pastime which later evolved into games.

Games are a natural act and children are inclined toward them right from birth. When a child learns to take its first steps, parents try to entertain them by teaching them to walk. When the child cries, a mother tries various ways to keep it quiet. Infant games must have been discovered essentially to keep little children happily occupied. A child loves games more than studies. So, it takes to them naturally like ducks to water.

As eating, drinking, sleeping are necessary for children, games too are necessary. The daily life of a child is incomplete without games. It is generally felt that games are
the only source of entertainment for children. Games not only
serve as entertainment but are the basic need of every child.

Children play different games at different stages of their life. From the age of 1 ½ years, a child takes a box or a tin and and starts collecting stones, sticks etc. or ties a string to a stick or a tin and drags them behind. When he is 2 years old, he observes his mother washing clothes. Scrubbing vessels, or his father shaving and imitates them. Children older than 3 play with toys or the games they like. Every child keeps itself occupied with some game of the other.


IMPORTANCE OF GAMES

Games play a vital role and are an intergral part of our daily life. When children come into contact with each other, physical, mental and social development takes place. Besides physical fitness, one learns sportsmanship, descipline, etc. from games. These days, looking at the interest generated by games like cricket, tennis, hockey, golf, etc. a lot of money is being pumped into them and there are handsome rewards to be won.

Competitions and matches are regularly held, both at the local, national and international level. It is said that if you want to decrease the number of hospitals in the country, increase the number of playground by this you can not only improve the health children but also keep them from going astray.


TYPES OF GAMES

There are many kinds of games broadly based on the age of a child, environment, tendency and preferences. Accordingly, games can be classified as:
Solitary Games: There are many games a child play by itself by collection odds and ends. Some children like playing by themselves and not with others.
Imitation Games: The child observes and imitates another child's play.
Co-operative Games: Sharing toys with one another
Competitive Games: Normally divided into two groups where one tries to defeat the other. For example, 'kabbadi', 'kho-kho', volley ball, etc.
Family Games: These games are mostly played by little children and elders in the family join in the fun, viz. dump charade, kukroo koo, lee lee lawan
Games Played by Boys: Generally played by the younger male members of the family-'itti-dakkar'(gulli-danda), 'latoon' (top),etc.
Games Played by Girls: Generally played by the younger female members of the family - nori raand (skipping or ' gudda-guddi' (dolls), 'eesee de moree de' (fugdi)
Mixed Games: Played combinedly by both boys and girls, like mandak mandi (langdi), ' lika chhip' (hide'n'seek).
Indoor Games: Games that can be played indoors or in the compound, viz 'Naangin' (snake and ladder), ' nav-tin (ludo)s, etc.
Outdoor Games: Games played on playgrounds or in the lanes, viz 'kho-kho', 'vanjh vatti' (hope-scotch), 'latton' (top),
Song-based Games: Games played by children from 2 -12 years based on ad-lib rhymes or riddles like tukbandi, proliyoon (riddles), geet taal (song beats) 'irchik-mirchik' (eenie,meenie,mina moe), ' bhaj kuaa, bili aaee' (cat 'n' mouse).