You remember growing up playing those fun family games? I do! Sigh, nostalgia…
Every other day, we would pull out Β board games and spend a good two hours rolling the dice, arguing over free turns, double rolls on sixes, jumping in glee when we sent another’s marker back ‘home’ and doing the triumphant jig when we won π
Well, things haven’t changed too much, I am glad to say. At home, we insist on minimal gadget time for the kid and more interactive, personal play.
In mid-March, on one Sunday evening, as we lazed around the house, V came up with the idea of charades. I was very enthused by the idea and started telling Gy excitedly about the rules: Indicate if it is a movie or a book; Show number of words; Use only hand signals , and about a dozen other rapid-fire instructions.
With a wry look, V steered the bewildered child away from me and whispered a word in her ear. Her face lit up and she took up a stance to indicate a person holding a bat. I yelled out, ‘Cricket!’ You would have thought I had brought the moon down for her. Her face lit up with pride and joy:)
After that, there was no looking back. By rotation, she switched between me and V, asking for clues and acting them out.
For me,this taught two important lessons:
For me,this taught two important lessons:
- Speak to a child as a child would.Β
- Act like a child when it’s expected.Β
And, just for you, here she is, enacting one of the words we discussed. Can you guess it?
Β I’ll be sure to pass on the number of correct responses to her.Β
Won’t that bring a smile to her face! π
Word count: 286
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Check out my recommended blogger for the day, Rajlakshmi and her poetry wagon
Written for the A to Z 2014 Challenge
C is for Charades
My theme for the month is :Β Introspection in shades of 11
Also linking this to theΒ Ultimate Blog ChallengeΒ for April
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Ha ha – great post:-) A feel-good tale from your sphere- well told:-) “Act as a child when expected” π Oh yes, I do too! ( also if u loose the game..?:-) π Way to go Shailaja. PS: I love your “Yell-free counter”- very impressive:-) π
Great post. She looks like maybe a tiger or cat of some kind.
Speak to her as she would, that's something my mom told me when I held P for the first time in my hands ! I see it happen, as she's quick to reciprocate when we say something the way she would say it, even if it is something simple ! Love this piece, Shailaja π She looks like she is 'waiting ' π A Tiger waiting π Lovely pic, and wonderful narration , Shailaja π
Crouching Tiger? Agree with you on 'speak to a child as a child would'. It's hard sometimes but that's the only way we can reach out to them.
Speak to a child as a child would – EXCELLENT. To speak that way you must think that way and it is hard sometimes but works. I think she looks like a tiger (by the way, she is beautiful)
Crouching tiger is the first thing that came to mind. She could be a cougar also.
Love the pic!
Feeling good after reading ur post π
Speak to a child as a child would.
Act like a child when it's expected.
Bang on!!! Nailed it!
Btw is she trying to be tiger or cat woman?
~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!
How bad I was in this game. But my Dad always insisted that we played this during our Sunday family time. Phew
Your brought memories back π
This brought back loads of memories of summer holidays and a daily round of charades at my grandparent's home, Shailaja.
Hahaha that is so sweet π I remember playing kabbadi with my siblings and badminton with dad. I agree it's important to connect with children with fun games.
I love Charades and Scrabble and card games!! N now I want to play so bad!! π
Ohh so cute! Love this idea and I love Charades …All I need now is a baby to play with..can I borrow urs..she's sooo adorable !! π
Random Thoughts Naba
is she enacting a lion or tiger??
we friends play this game a lot.. we call it dumb shell acts π reminded me of all those fun times π
Awww…this is such a sweet post about learning from your child! An important parenting lesson shared creatively. Well done, Shailja. By the way, the word that came to mind when i saw Gy's picture was Crawl. But that's not a movie or a book, is it?
She could be a Tiger on the prowl or a ferocious house cat π She is a lovely child, bless her.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?
Or something to do with Suryanamaskaar?
Interactive, gadget-free games are fun!
I love all the family games… and we still play this when all the cousins come together… Loved the pic!!
As a child I loved to play Carrom and Snakes and Ladder board games. It was fun. Children of today will never know that kind of fun but then they would say that our parents would never know the excitement of playing an online game on an IPAD or mobile π
Cat! or Tiger. maybe! I love charades and remember how Mughal-E-Azam used to be enacted back then. It would be. Mooh – Gale – Hazam! hahahahahaha
G's pose makes me think of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Was it a movies round?
Loved the 2 lessons – I need to keep them in mind. π
A tiger or a cat or a race something like ready to go. And yes with a child you have to be a child!
Richa
Shailaja.
That's one thing I have learnt from this post
Less of gadgets and more of interactive play..
Correct……
Charades has been my favourite also
Let me also device ways to play charades with my little ones
What is she doing anyway? Crawling? I want to play this with my daughter as well…I hate my son playing with gadgets all the time and I dont have the energy to keep him entertained round the clock
Wonderful choice of word – C is definitely for Charades… π I remember fun ritual we had a year back in front park of our house. Along with my siblings and their friends, we used to play Charades. In that fun we used to forget the time and used to run back to home at one in the night! π
So, finally I manage to make it back here…..for the Charades no less π Love the game. And of course the instructions. A question appears though – Was she showing “Crouching Tiger…..;)”
How fun! I haven't ever played much charades. My family loves board games and cards…and of course Nintendo and Playstation! LOL Wonderful, happy post! β₯
Oh I'm always upset when I lose π Thanks Eli. It's been a long challenge with the yelling less:)
Thanks Carol. Answer in tomorrow's post π
I've got to get myself some Cranium. Now that sounds weird π
Shailaja,
Nice to be here
A very interesting post and cool and lovely pic too.
But sorry I can't even guess what exactly she is playing LOL
I am here via Jayanta's page
Keep blogging
Keep informed
Best Regards
~ Philip
I still love Charades now! It is a great game to play. Happy AtoZ!
Jessica | Beagles and Bargains
http://www.beaglesandbargains.com/
What fun. We played charades and many made up games as we grew up on a farm.
Sunni
Lovely idea :).. I saw the answer on your later post already so can't guess π
I thought of an attacking lion, but just checked the answer, it is a tiger!
Liked the 2 important lessons you shared, Shailaja π
I thought of a lion.
Nice lesson of teaching lost games to our children. Too much technology.
Wonderful write up and beautiful photographs. You proved you are a very caring and affectionate mother.