Games and Toys in the Teaching - Unesco

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Cover photos

1. Children playing in the theater from Netherlands, rights reserved 2. Cyclist from Zaire, rights reserved 3. Family group from Guatemala, rights reserved 4. Abacus from the Republic of Korea, rights reserved

Science and Technology Education

Document series No. 29

ED/88/WS/36

Edited by Norman K. Lowe

A resource document on low cost educational activities for children in primary and early secondary levels of education

Division of Science Technical and Environmental

Education

UNESCO

Paris, 1988

There is no point in work unless it absorbs you like an absorbing game if it doesn't absorb you

if its never any fun don't do it! D. H. Lawrence.

PREFACE

This resource document has been prepared within the framework of Unesco's programme in the teaching of science and technology. In particular it is the outcome of a pilot project on games and other experimental activities for the teaching of science to children.

Toys and games play a large part in the early development of children, certainly in the more developed countries of the world. In such countries the commercial production of toys is in the league of big business. Toy Fairs are held, both national and international, and the range of toys and games cross international boundaries in their popularity. From the domestic point of view it is probable that, in a family with children, the festive seasons provide the greatest impetus to the giving and receiving of toys and games. This is by no means a new phenomenon. Archeological finds have indicated that toy making existed over 4000 years ago, and many of the toys used at that time are still being used today in one form or another.

Section 1 of this document sets the scene with regard to toys and games as well as to curriculum development trends and activities particularly at the primary level of education. In Section 2 examples of games and toys which can be used in the teaching of science and technology (as well as in many other disciplines) are detailed. These examples have been prepared from material obtained during the pilot project from Indonesia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Niger, the Republic of Korea and Trinidad and Tobago as well as from the International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE).

Additional material has been included from a number of sources to which acknowledgement is given wherever used. Material submitted has, in some cases, been modified for the purposes of clarity of explanation.

This resource document has been compiled and edited by Norman K. Lowe. The selection of material and the views expressed are those of the editor; they are not necessarily those of Unesco. In the event of an accident occurring through the use of any of the examples detailed, neither Unesco, nor the editor, nor the submitting countries can accept any responsibility.

Should you have a toy or game which may be suitable for publication in this series of documents, or elsewhere, please send it, with details of how to make and how you have used it in your teaching, to: The Director

Division of Science, Technical and Environmental Education Unesco 7 place de Fontenoy 75700 Paris France

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