Much has been said, for instance, of sports as an outlet for aggression. It was even suggested for a time that sports might prevent wars. The idea was that the energy needed for war could be diverted to the playing field where it could escape like a steam valve.

The opposite is true. High interest in sports, particularly combat sports, may indicate aggressive natures and a society that is likely to go to war.

While kids may be born to play, they don’t play interactive games by instinct.

Tag and hide and seek paralleled the occupations of stalking wild animals.

Children under 5 are self-absorbed. They have difficulty collaborating and cooperating with other children in games that require concentration and they don’t easily accept the idea of losing.

Children between 3 and 5 like circle games, except those that have strong acceptance and rejection themes like chants, verses and nonsense words.

Children between 5 and 9 can tolerate losing and being “it.”

 

Diane Kadrmas

Albert Lea