GAMES OF THE PAST E-TWINNING

GAMES OF THE PAST

In the past, Lithuanians used games as an educational tool but not entertainment. Properly organized games helped bring a healthy generation of joy-filled individuals. Each game had a specific goal, developed one or another skill. Recognized youth leaders - the most active and smart village or town boys or girls brought the teams together. Such leaders were the youth of every town - both boys and girls. The traditional sports games were and still are to test young people's ability to concentrate, think logically and respond to the opponents' actions in the game. Teenagers and young people loved wrestling and did not avoid fighting. Games like: fencing, being pushed out of the circle were a lot like war games. Payers usually used sticks, bags and stones for such games. People who avoided physical exercise and games were called sluggish. Other people made fun of them. History and Lithuanian language teachers helped to accomplish this task. Students recorded the rules and designed the leaflet “Games of the past“. https://www.canva.com/design/DAEVEsmMLL0/mxLHfcY1Fl3TvIbtqHyPKw/view?utm_content=DAEVEsmMLL0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

RAYUELAOne of the most famous games in Spain is the "Rayuela" (hopscotch). It's a game played by children, who throw a stone onto a set of joined squares drawn on the ground and jump on one leg and then on two legs into each square to get the stone.

In Romania we played outdoors. Two teams played against each other and tried to eliminate the opponents by throwing the ball at them. The winner is the group with the most players.

Italians used to play games that no longer exist, these games were often played in the streets. In 'mazze e cozze' you need 2 sticks and a little bit of power...

Our guest descibed his childhood, which unfortunatelly fell on the period during and straight after WWII. Although the children had no access to toys or sports facilities whatsoever, (which nowadays are at kids' fingertips), children did play and did have fun. Among many different stories, Mr Nalepa told us about a ball, called 'szmacianka' that children used to prepare on their own. It was generally made of fabric or different pieces of cloth. Boys played it as a football, but the rules concerning the number of players weren't strict, because children had to take care of their younger silbings - (which was very common then). As the families used to be large there were many chilren playing at the same time. And usually there weren't two goals - just one with one goalkeeper. During winter time, kids used to skate on frozen ponds and lakes, but obviously, not many had skates - so they tried to make them with fathers' help using variuos metal parts that could serve as DIY skates. But their most favourite game (played mostly at schools) was called 'cymbergaj' which is widely known abroad as coin football/penny football and played on a special air - hockey tables. For playing purposes, the students used some coins and their combs or rulers - the game took place especially on the classroom desks, but obviously not at lesson time. The teachers were very strict and parents harsh (if informed on misbehaving). In our school we also tried do play 'cymbergaj' in the classrooms and as you can see, it's a very cheering up game - here students of grade 7

• Traditional games relate to people’s ancient lives, they reached us verbally, from generation to generation over the time. • The instruments provided were iron, stick, coulter, rope, etc. • This was when the children were still playing on the street. Other Traditional Games • The mesh game. • The rope game. • The donkey game. • The monkey game.