Clapping Games: Whole Brain Workouts for Lively Children ¦ Skipping Games: Energetic Workouts for Lively Children ¦ Playground Games: Co-operative Learning for Lively Children

Big book format, with lively, child-appealing illustrations on every page, Clapping Games includes a CD with young voices reciting the 20 progressively difficult rhymes, claps included. There are lots of familiar rhymes (In and Out the Dusty Bluebells; Three, Six, Nine, the goose drank wine; Miss Mary Mack) but many new ones too. The boxed instructions for the actions are very clearly given and the CD will enable speedy learning of all the rhymes. Skipping Games begins with easy rhymes which are chanted as a large rope is swung from side to side. The games that follow 'proceed to truly impressive displays of magnificent agility'. There are lots of traditional chants, but some new ones too. Quite splendid and, of course, the health benefits of skipping are huge. Cognitive function is enhanced when skipper and rope interact successfully, the whole brain being engaged. Playground Games begins, like the others, with clear instructions for its use, along with rules for how children can play happily together. There follow team games, games for pairs or groups, individual activities and also role-play games. Some are competitive, others focus on turn-taking and sharing. They can be enjoyed by children from wide age groups, certainly across KS1 and into KS2. Each page teaches a new game, and the big book format and lively pictures will draw pupils to read and learn more for themselves. There are lots of opportunities for curriculum links, eg. games including compass points. Teachers, ensure you have this set of books, if you believe in developing positive attitudes in your pupils... and most importantly, believe in Fun as a learning tool! What fun for families too - birthday parties, picnics, hoildays, games on the beach... Also in this excellent series, More Clapping Games, and look out for the recently published Singing Games.