Training Games for the Physical Conditions of Children

The training of the physical coordinations of children is most naturally accomlished through the medium of games.It should be fully appreciated by teachers and parents that the playing of these games is not “mere play,” but definite training of the best kind. In many cases there is little else to be done.

The teacher should select such games as are most interesting to her special group and practice these until the children are reasonably proficient in them or until they prove uninteresting.

The games and exercises in written here are for use among mothers and teachers of normal and sub-normal children, the object being to help develop muscular control and to quicken the sense perceptions. The training should commence when the child is three years of age.

The following instructions should be observed:

1. Each one of the exercises should be put before the child in a spirit of play.

2. Absolute simplicity in tlie training is essential. The manner in which a game is played is of more importance than the game itself. A simple game or exercise taught in a complex manner will produce a confusion of ideas.

3. Aim to produce one idea at a time in the mind of the child.

4. In teaching both normal and sub-normal children the personality of the teacher plays an important part. She should be patient cheerful and optimistic, always ready with a word of encouragement when the child fails to produce the desired results; thorough in her methods and with keen power to observe. The mind of the teacher reacts upon the mind of the child: “Education is the process by which one mind forms another mind and one heart another heart.”

5. The principal weakness in most children is their inability to concentrate, and it is only by fixed methods of simple work, elimination of all confusion, and the conviction of the teacher that good results must emanate from her training, that she can develop and strengthen concentration in the child.

The mode of procedure must not vary; children should be lined up in the same way, material of the same color used, and diagrams drawn to the same dimensions each time the game or exercise is used. Should the smallest alteration be made in these details, it will produce a confusion of ideas in the child’s mind and successful training will not result.

6. Make all questions and answers as concrete and brief as possible, avoid superfluous detail and abstract ideas, for these tend to create confusion in the mind of the child.

7. The signal given for starting a game should be brief, as, “Are you ready?” followed by the word “Go!” said sharply and clearly. A signal with too many words is confusing. Always use the same form of signal in starting a game. Should this be changed the game will not start successfully, for the child’s mind will be centered upon that change and he will lose the all- important idea, e.g., the start of the game. A game unsuccessfully started is a failure throughout.

8. During exercises the teacher should observe the reaction and should the children show signs of fatigue or loss of interest, an exercise should be immediately changed.

9. Make all exercises as attractive as possible. Aim to have an air of peace and tranquility in the schoolroom; tension in the slightest degree is disastrous to the training. The schoolroom should be made a pleasure-ground for the child. Bear in mind the best discipline always attends the most successful play.

10. It is not advisable to keep a child for longer than one hour at a session. In a longer session it will be noticed the child becomes depressed or restless and power of concentration weakens. During the session a child should not be kept too long at one exercise; from four to fifteen minutes is sufficient for any of the exer- cises. A game played too many consecutive times in an effort to perfect it, loses its object.

11. Two inactive exercises should not follow each other consecutively.

12. In teaching rhymes and songs, introduce simple action. It will help to develop sense of rhythm and aid the memory to a marked degree. The “Mother Goose” rhymes enclosed herein have been chosen for their rhythmic value and extreme simplicity.

13. In drawing diagrams on a polished wood floor, better results may be obtained by moistening the chalk.

The material used in these exercises and games is very; simple. Bean bags should be made five inches square, of bright-colored cloth of heavy texture, and filled with small, hard beans. The wooden blocks should be eight inches in length, and one and a half inches on each side; the corners should be sharp so that they may be stood on end with- out difficulty. Rubber balls, medicine balls, and baseballs should be regulation size.

Game: Bean Bag Toss. Material: Shallow box, bean bags.

Children sit in a circle on the floor, a distance of three feet from each other. Place the box in the center of circle. Give each child a bean bag. Have the children each throw their bean bag, in turn, endeavoring to get it into the box in centre of the circle.

Note: This game is especially adapted for crippled children and those unable to take part in active games.
Object: Train eye and hand; to stimulate play spirit.

Game: “Pat-A-Cake” Have class seated in half circle on small chairs. Teach children the following rhyme, saying the words slowly and distinctly so that the children may more readily understand, and have them clap their hands in rhythm to the words ; “Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T, Put it in the oven for Tommy and me.”

Object: Memory; rhythm; increase vocabulary.

Game: Medicine ball. Children stand in group at one end of. the room. Teacher throws medicine ball into their midst, the child catching the ball throws it back to teacher, who will immediately repeat the exercise. Encourage children to run after the ball when it falls to the ground. Do not call upon any particular child to catch the ball; by throwing it in their midst and letting those catch it who can, the children will become more alert.

Should a child be very slow, it is well to call upon that child in particular to catch.

Object: Training of eye and hand; attention; spontaneous activity.

Malcolm Blake has researched into the field of all genres of games, including modern PSP games.

Rainy Day Activities for Kids

Uh Oh!

The kids are home and it’s raining. You know what comes next, right?


“I’m bored!!!”

“There’s nothing to do!”

“Moooooooom!!!”

Yeah you know what I’m talking about. They can’t go outside because it’s too soggy out there and you really don’t want them sitting like zombies in front of the electronic babysitter for hours, or playing video games till their gray matter starts to have the consistency of Swiss Cheese, do you? No, you don’t. You’re a good parent, a responsible parent. You know that by stimulating their little minds and encouraging their natural creativity and desire to be active you’re continuing to be a good parent.


There’s nothing worse than an idle child with nothing to do, so why not give them some simple and easy to do crafts? If you’re not a crafty-person (and a lot of us aren’t) it might seem a bit daunting to you. Perhaps the last craft you created was when you pressed your hand into some clay in grade school to make a gift for your mother or father. If that’s so, don’t panic. All it takes for you to be able to do this is a little ingenuity—and some planning ahead.


Grab a Box or Not
Planning for rainy day craft activities doesn’t have to be complicated or even expensive. You have a few options to create a crafty storage area.


First option, you’ll need a craft box. You can make this as difficult or as simply as you want. I’ve had friends who have simply taken a cardboard box with a lid, written ‘Craft Box’ on the top and filled it with their goodies; others take the same box and have turned it into a work of art by affixing feathers and buttons and even painted pictures on it. It all depends on what amount of effort and time you want to put into it. After all, it’s not the box but what’s inside that count in the end.


Second option, designate a drawer in your kitchen as the craft drawer and fill it with your goodies.
You can use a tackle box for your small craft box. They’re great because they have little compartments for holding your small stuff—like googley eyes, rhinestones, buttons or pieces of glass. The bigger compartment can hold your glue gun and large pieces of felt and any other crafty items you’ve got. You can also purchase any size plastic tub to use for a craft box—in fact some empty tubs are made for just such a purpose.


They come with drawers and trays with lots of compartments to store your items. However you make or buy your craft box, make sure it’s special to your children.
Another great idea is to use an over the door plastic shoe holder. They are fairly cheap and you store a LOT of items in them without taking up a drawer or any counter space in your kitchen. Because the little plastic areas are see-through, you’re instantly organized! You can see everything you have at a glance.


Fill’er Up!
There are some essentials you’ll want for your rainy day craft box. Of course those items will include glue, glue sticks, paper, scissors, crayons, markers and even perhaps some water-based paints.
Children can do the most creative things with the most innocuous items and you can help them make things on the cheap. Having fun doesn’t have to be expensive!


If you have young children, make sure that you keep the small craft items out of reach so they’re no danger of choking.
As I said before, you can fill up your craft box, or drawer, or over-the-door craft holder relatively inexpensively.


What I like to do is pick up things at garage sales or thrift stores. Buttons, small pieces of colored glass and paper. Lots and lots of paper, in all sizes and colors and shapes. When I’m doing a project and I’ve cut up paper, I never throw the unused pieces away. Rather, I keep them and put them into my craft box. You never know when they might come in handy.


Colored pieces of felt, bottle cleaners, googly eyes and any other item that seems odd but could come in handy later. Never toss anything out without first putting it in your craft box—just in case. Aluminum foil is also a must-have for your craft box.


Even old socks, ones that your children have outgrown or ones that your husband has gotten holes in. can be used for exciting craft ideas! Make a sock puppet!


Crafty Ideas


Here are a few rainy-day craft ideas to keep your kids busy when they’re trapped inside. Most can be done using items found around your home so they’re fun AND inexpensive!


Tin foil Shapes
You’ll need some tin foil and your imagination only.
Take a sheet of foil and squeeze it, ball it up, shape it into something fun. Use enough aluminum foil to firmly twist and ball up to the desired design. You can mount it on wood block with glue gun, or thumb tacks. For an extra challenge try to make a body shape, that will balance on a string tied tightly between two chairs. Make figures and make a play with them. Using yarn, you can attach hair to them with a glue gun.


Potato Prints


You’ll need
Potatoes
Poster paint or tempera
Paper, cardboard, or wood
sharp knife
pencil


1. Cut potatoes in half or thirds.
2. Draw desired design onto potato with the pencil.
3. Young children can carve their whole design with the pencil but if more detail is preferred, an adult needs to cut around the pencil outline.
4. Place paint in tray or paper plate in a thin layer.
5. Press potato design into paint and firmly press onto paper for impression.
Don’t have Paint ? Coloring with marker onto the potato works as well although it produces a lighter effect.


Mom’s Tip: Practice a couple of times to get the
feel for how much paint you want on your print.
To accomplish a textured effect try letting layers
dry and adding prints on top in different colors.


Making Stamps


You’ll need any of these items
Rubber erasers, Cork board, Styrofoam, cardboard
Inner tube rubber, Felt squares
Sharp utility knife
ink pad
Glue gun


1. Cut the desired shape out of a rubber eraser for example:
The tip of a pencil eraser will form a circle,
Add notches to create flowers, carve letters
( don’t forget to reverse for printmaking)
2. When using felt, cork or cardboard attach the stamp
to a wood block with a glue gun.
Two inch dowel pieces work well.
3.Press stamps onto ink pad and press on paper.


Mom’s Tip:
Stamps will last longer if you keep a damp sponge
at work area to dab after each color.


Sock Puppets

Making a sock puppet:
Socks, all kinds and colors
Yarn
Glue gun
Googly eyes
Imagination


No one can resist a sock puppet. Use any kind of sock—the more colorful the better. Using a glue gun, attach yarn hair, maybe even a yarn moustache. Stick eyes on, wait till everything is dry and then have a puppet show! Recreate a scene from one of your favorite cartoons. Use a pink sock and make Patrick, a yellow sock to make Sponge Bob.
Using a cardboard box, you can create a stage where your sock puppets can put on plays. With a bit of creativity, you can have hours of fun!


Bread and Glue Clay
Easy Recipe
You’ll need :
8 slices of day-old white bread
(Less expensive fluffy type)
1 /2 C. White Glue
Food color
Flour for work space
Wax paper


To Make:
Remove Crusts. Break bread into small pieces and put in mixing bowl. Pour glue over bread. Mix with one hand until it becomes a sticky mass. Take the out of the bowl and form into a ball .With both hands keep patting into a smaller ball until it becomes just slightly tacky. Dust work surface with a small amount of flour and knead gently until it becomes smoother and more pliable. Knead firmly at this time. Knead until texture is satiny, about 5 mins.


Wrap tightly with plastic to store. Remember to seal the unused portion while working.


To color dough tear of portion needed , flatten and add color directly onto dough. Blend until satiny again. Add flour, if needed to achieve the proper texture.
Air dry. Drying times vary depending on thickness. To speed up drying place on cookie sheet and leave overnight in an unlit oven. Paint with acrylic paints (optional) and seal with spray on finish.


Finger Painting
There’s nothing more exciting to a child than getting themselves all dirty. As parents and caregivers we’re always telling them to stay clean, to wash their hands and don’t touch.
Now you’re going to give them the opportunity to touch and to get dirty and to play!


You’ll need some water soluble finger paints. They come in all colors and they’re so much fun! Whether from a squeeze bottle or a jar—dipping their little fingers into the wet muck gives them tactile sensations and a creative outlet.
You’ll need paper and paints. Also, it would be a good idea to have the child wear old clothing or an apron to keep the paint from their clothing.


These are just a few ideas to get you started on making some exciting memories with your children—as well as keeping their little imaginations active during dull and rainy days.

VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera

The perfect little camera for your preschooler to use. With easy to hold handles this digital camera will do as much if not more than Mom and Dad’s. It is able to take up to 120 photos or 5 minutes of action packed video, plus it can be hooked into your TV or home PC.

Kids these days want things that are fun and easy to use. Preschoolers are even less patient than most. Plus all kids want to have what the adults in their lives have. The digital camera for preschoolers does all that, plus saves your own digital camera from the abuse of rambunctious and curious young ones. Read more

Jimmy Kimmel Does Product Testing on Kids part2

To Give is Better than to Receive – Eco-friendly Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

To Give is Better than to Receive – Eco-friendly Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

In this new age of social responsibility and environmental concern, parents are looking for easy and fun ways to teach their children about the necessity of giving back to those in need & cleaning up the environment. However, this has also become a time of extravagant birthday party celebrations for young children with inflatable jumping machines, balloon arches, disposable party utensils and lots of unnecessary gifts; none of which seem to teach our children about social issues or the environment. So, what can we as “green” parents do? There are several different ways to incorporate giving back to others and environmentally friendly ideas to create a fun and exciting Birthday celebration.

Invitations – Create recycled invitations from scraps of left-over paper, art supplies and items around the house that fit in with the theme of your party. There are recycled paper invitations, “tree-free” paper invitations, as well as seeded invitations, that, when planted, will grow into a flower garden. You can also send electronic invitations which cut down on paper and cost.

Location – Let your child choose the location based on their interests. Farms, parks, fire stations, zoos, museums, and animal shelters all make wonderful “natural” backdrops for a party and won’t require much additional decoration. In addition, the children (and adults) can learn about ways to help these local organizations, take care of plants and animals and enjoy nature.

Décor – Latex balloons, plastic utensils and paper napkins are a natural parent’s worst nightmare! Opt for some more earth-friendly items such as paper lanterns, non-disposable utensils, cloth napkins and table cloths and flowers or plants as centerpieces.

Cake or Dessert – Make your own vegan or organic cake or cupcakes. This provides you with an opportunity to teach your child about the importance of healthy & organic products, as well as allowing them to participate in the creation of a dessert that will be enjoyed by all of their guests.

Party Favors – The typical plastic goody bags filled with candy and useless toys can easily be replaced by earth-friendly items such as unique rocks, flower or vegetable seeds and planting materials. Home-made baked goods or art projects are always a thoughtful parting gift as well.

Gifts – This is where things can get a bit tricky – most children enjoy and look forward to receiving gifts during their Birthday celebration . Before you begin planning the party, you should re-evaluate what a birthday party means for you and your child. If a discussion occurs early in the process and clarifies the expectations for the party and the gifts, children will be excited about the good things that will be created from their very special party. The key is to combine your social and environmental values with a theme that your child will embrace and enjoy. Along with the theme, choose a charity or organization that will benefit from monetary or product donations. Take a tour of the shelter, charity or organization that your child has chosen or, if the charity is not local, view their website to help your child form an emotional connection with that particular group.

If this type of involved planning really isn’t your thing, there are companies out there that will do it all for you. One such company is Inspired Birthdays . They offer 5 different themed parties focusing on anything from wild animals, to healthy living, to volunteering & they have several different planning packages depending on how much help you need. Each them is partnered with a charity and parents can choose from different donation options for their guests. They can bring everything you need or just the entertainment – you decide!

These party planning options are easy, fun and can be enjoyed fully by the guests, the birthday child and parents alike. They keys to raising socially and environmentally responsible children are to educate them on about giving back and showing them how much fun it can be. A Birthday party is an experience that children look forward to and remember. Why not tie in some simple but meaningful themes and ideas that will change your children and their outlook on the world for the better?

Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology & is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity & children & is a frequent guest blogger on other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine. You can contact Lisa directly at: lisa@regionzkidz.com

Happy Mother’s Day Game: “Meal or No Meal?”

photo credit: billaday

For Mother’s Day week, I have added my own game show to the tradition of “Deal or no Deal?” I’m calling it “Meal or No Meal?”

I think I can compete with “Deal or No Deal?” host Howie Mandel but I refuse to shave my head.

My show works this way.

I have just been on a homeschool field trip to measure the width at the widest spot in the Fox River, the pediatrician, the post office, the oil change place, and pharmacy. But, of course, I am expected at 6:00 Pm to be home and produce a sumptuous, savory, and satisfying meal. Read more

Polygons and Heptagons

Today is a banner day for my little nephew, Sean, as his favorite Aunt
with the same first and last name attended his grandparent/special
person day function. Sean and I are old hands at this sort of thing as
we attended the same event but at a different school last year.

The first performance of the day is a concert. Sean has the honor of
singing solo. I am very proud of him in his smart suit and tie and
untied shoes. He manages to keep clean for the better part of the drive
to school and looks every inch the Vienna choirboy, minus the alter
server outfit. My husband has absconded with my camera so I am left to
the devices of my new cell phone. Surprisingly, I manage to figure out
the camera/phone with no problem. My nephew marches out and places
himself right in front of the choir leader; she does not realize that
she is blocking my view. I move, Sean moves, we play this back and forth
shuffling of places several times until I am able to see Sean. After
snapping a few photos for his parents, my stomach reminds me it is snack
time.

On our way to his next class, Sean treats me to a hot chocolate at the
school lunchroom. He neatly spills chocolate down his sleeve, assuring
me no one will notice. Advise him to wash the spots in cold water and I
am promptly ignored. We hurry to class and Sean declares that he can no
longer abide his dressy clothes. He wads up his suit coat in his
backpack until I gently remind him of his mothers warning to hang up the
coat.

The teacher looks expectantly at her new students, polygons and
heptagons are on the agenda today. This is ridiculous, Sean is in fifth
grade! I start to seriously sweat when the teacher advises the students
to bring out the compass and protractor. This is not good for me and I
look feverishly at my watch, a half-hour to go. The teacher suggests
that we help our charges in their studies. Hastily make my way to the
bathroom and stay there a long while. Every man for himself in math
class! When I emerge we are beginning our origami project, my past
inadequacies of spatial problems begin to haunt me. The teacher
encourages us to measure all angles; this is the stuff nightmares are
made of.

Finally the teacher wonders if we, the guests, might like to relay our
favorite fifth grade math stories. Oh God, this keeps getting worse and
worse. All of the guests are of the World War II generation, most of
them are a bit hazy but they are united in one thought. No one had to do
this level of math until high school. I begin to feel a bit better until
it is my turn. I relay the importance of the multiplication tables and
percentages. The students look at me like I am some kind of numbskull
but I stand by my statement. One does need to figure out the tip…

Author Bio: Shawn Underwood
shawn@shawnunderwood.com
www.shawnunderwood.com
Humor mom column

Why to Adopt a Cat

So you’ve decided to embark on the great adventure of cat ownership! Or maybe the cat or cats who already share your home are ready for a companion. Should you adopt your new pet from a shelter or rescue group, rather than buying one from a breeder or pet store? And if you decide on adoption, what and where should you go? Here are some tips.

Adopting a cat is equivalent to saving a life. Every year millions of cats are put to death because they can’t be placed in loving homes. Many cats end up in shelters because their owners have had dramatic life changes which make it impossible to keep their pets. And many had wonderful homes but became lost and couldn’t be reunited with their families. Irresponsible humans, of course, abandon some.

Pet store suppliers and breeders may engage in cruel and unhealthy behavior. The breeding of pets requires meticulous care and organization. Too often unscrupulous “pet mills” force animals to breed at a rate, which is too fast and consequently hard on the mother. Kittens are taken from their mothers too early, leading to emotional and behavioral problems. And conditions are unsanitary and don’t provide for fresh air and exercise. Of course most breeders love animals and do a great job. However it can be difficult to determine the source of many of the pets available at pet stores.

Even potential owners who want purebred cats can adopt. There are many organizations, which specialize in placing purebred cats in loving homes. Because different breeds have different temperaments and care requirements, these organizations work with their clients to be sure that the home and the cat are a good match. Even your local shelter may be a good place to find the breed you are looking for. Pedigreed cats end up in shelters, too, and need good homes.

Most of the cats available for adoption are adults. One of the advantages of getting a grown up pet is that its personality is already formed and apparent. Most shelters provide adoption counseling to help new put owners together with the appropriate cat. Adult cats are also more likely to be trained and past that rambunctious phase which can make kittens so exhausting! Because kittens are so universally appealing, the adult cats at a shelter may languish and ultimately be put down.

Another advantage to adopting a cat is that you will likely be able to find a pet, which has been fostered. These animals have been kept in temporary loving homes while they wait for adoption. Not only have they been socialized in their foster homes, any behavioral problems will have been addressed. Fostered homes provide millions of animals shelter and love while they wait for their “real” families to find and adopt them!

Finally, cats adopted from shelters have been screened for illness, inoculated against common feline diseases, and usually spayed or neutered. Only healthy pets are offered for adoption from a reputable shelter. There are so many reasons to adopt your next cat, and so many cats hoping to be adopted.

Catpert is the most complete website about cats and kittens.

4 Tips For Mom’s Planning Birthday Parties

4 Tips For Mom’s Planning Birthday Parties
by Meryl Rose
Many moms believe that hosting a birthday party is filled with more energy, creativity and patience than they think they have. This is simply not true! I have gathered some of my favorite party planning tips, For more hints and ideas and some great birthday party ideas, please make sure to visit http://www.chitchatformommies.com.

1. Start Planning Early - But Not Too Early

If possible, begin planning your party 4 - 5 weeks in advance. Allowing plenty of time for on-line shopping, cake orders, party site shopping and enlisting any friends, family or teenagers you may want to help.

If you begin to plan the party too early, you run the risk that your child will change his/her mind as to the theme/location/cake type, etc.

Just the same, if you begin planning too late, you run the risk that your site is booked or your 1st choice party favors are on back-order.

2. Pick a Theme

Whether you are looking for something simple at your favorite pizza place or you want an elaborate princess or pirate party, selecting a theme will help you organize your thoughts. Even if the theme is something as simple as your child’s favorite color - you will then plan all of your party supply purchases, games and decorations around that theme.

3. The Best Party Times Are. . .

1 - 3pm or 2 - 4pm if the kids have grown out of nap-times. All you will need to do is serve a few finger foods/munchie stuff if you want parents to stay (no need for munchies if parents aren’t staying - but it is a nice touch).

If kids are still napping, try to aim for 10 - 11:30. Lunch isn’t necessary - but it would certainly be a nice touch.

4. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Children remember what they did at a party, much more than what they ate, what the plates and napkins looked like or whether the house had a speck of dirt on the floor!!

Most importantly, remember to have fun and enjoy the celebration of your child’s special day!

Meryl D. Rose is a mommy to an adorable 5 1/2 year old girl and has been married for almost 13 years to a wonderfully supportive husband. Meryl has over twenty years’ experience teaching and counselling children and parents both in and out of the classroom. Meryl was bitten by the proverbial computer bug and created www.chitchatformommies.com - a website created by moms for moms. Once you enter the website, you will find brand-new as well as time-tested, creative and simple solutions to help multi-tasking moms of today thrive in their most important roles - as mommies.

http://www.chitchatformommies.com

This is a “Shareware” Article
(what’s that? read on…)

This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2008 Meryl Rose.

Easy, Fun Games With Numbers

Games with numbers can be great fun and excercise the mind! Below are a few number games with directions on how to play:

Who Can Reach 100 First? This game is easy to understand, and many people can tQ taken in by it. The game may be played several times without the opponent guessing the trick of winning. Two players are needed. The winner is the one who reaches 100 first.

The person who starts - let’s call him George - chooses a number. His partner - say, Ken - adds any number between i and 10. Now it’s George’s turn. The two players take turns in adding a number between 1 and 10 to the previous total. Who will win? Who will get to 100 first?

The winner is the one who can make his opponent reach 99. If Ken reaches 89, then he has already won, because the largest number George can reach is 99. In order that Ken can reach 89 first, he must also reach 78 first. If we continue along these lines, Ken must also reach 67, 56, 45, 34, 23, and 12 first. If George does not know the game and he starts with any number other than 1, then Ken replies with a number which gives a total of 12. Already the winner has been decided, because George can increase this total by 10 at the most, giving a total of 22. Ken makes it 23, and so on, until the total of 100 is reached.

Different rules can also be used. It is possible to fix a target figure different from 100; the upper and lower limits for the numbers to be added can also be changed. We can win all the games if the sum of the largest and smallest number is subtracted from the target figure. In this way we get a series of numbers that ensures victory. If, for instance, the target is 80 and the numbers added must lie between 2 and 7, then the winning series will be 82-9 = 71, 71-9 = 62, then 53, 44, 35, 26, 17, and 8.

The same game has an even more exciting variation. Count out 40 matches. The two players take turns, removing at least 2 and not more than 5 at a time. The player removing the last match is the winner.

This problem is easy to solve: the winner is the one who leaves 7 on the table. Since his opponent must remove at least 2 and not more than 5, in the first case 5 and in the second 2 would be left. So that 7 matches will be left, the winner must also leave 14 previously. Similarly, this applies when the number left on the table is 21, 28 and 35. These are multiples of 5 + 2 = 7 - therefore, if the person who starts knows the game, he simply removes 5 matches and the game is as good as won.

If, however, the person who knows the game does not start, he may not be able to win. Suppose that Ken knows the game, but George insists on starting. George takes 4 matches, leaving 36. In this case Ken cannot reach 35. It is possible that George will play into Ken’s hands on the next move, but if George thinks about it logically, then whatever Ken’s second move is, George can prevent Ken reaching 28. Therefore, Ken has lost the game.

If the rules are changed so that the loser removes the last two matches, the one who starts must try to leave two matches after his last move. This he can achieve if the number left after his next-to-last move is 2 + 2 + 5 = 9. We get this number by adding, to the last number to be left, the smallest and the largest number that can be taken away. The number 9 can be reached if the previous total is 9 + 7 = 16. Then, the previous totals are 23, 30, and 37. The person who starts must, therefore, remove 3 matches. Naturally, only the one who starts can be certain of winning.

Think of a Number. This is a well-known game with many variations. Let’s have a closer look at some of the more interesting ones. Katie says to Valerie, “Take a piece of paper and a pencil, think of a number, and write it down. Multiply it by 10 and take away the number you first thought of. Add 36 and cross out one of the figures in the final number (except the last one, if it is o). Tell me the figures that make up the final number, in any order, and I will tell you the figure you crossed out”. Valerie writes down 312. She multiplies it by 10: 3,120. 3,120 - 312 = 2,808. 2,808 + 36 = 2,844. She crosses out the 8 and rearranges the remaining numbers: 4, 2, 4.

Katie adds these together, 4 + 2 + 4 = 10. She subtracts the sum from the nearest number larger than 10 that is divisible by 9, that is, 1 8. The remainder is the number Valerie crossed out.

Why does this work? Valerie, when she had finished the sum set, arrived at a number divisible by 9. If any number is multiplied by 10 and the original is subtracted, then the remainder is 9 times the original number. If we add to this 36, that is, 4X9, then the sum will also be divisible by 9. We know that if the figures of a number divisible by 9 are added together, the sum will also be divisible by 9. So the missing figure, with the sum of the other figures, gives a number divisible by 9.

Valerie did not want to be outdone and asked Katie to think of a number. Then she said, “Double it, add 4, divide by 2, add 7, multiply by 8, subtract 12, divide the remainder by 4, subtract n, and tell me the result. I’ll tell you the number you thought of”.

Katie thought of n. n X 2 = 22, 22 + 4 = 26, half of 26 = 13. 13 + 7 = 20, 20 x 8 = 160, 160 - 12 = 148, 148 /4 = 37. 37 - 11 = 26. Katie tells Valerie the result: 26.

Valerie subtracts 4 (22), halves that, and says, “The number you thought of was n”. Naturally, Katie is very curious. Valerie explains, “You take four from the final result, halve that, and you have the original number”. They try it several times, with different numbers, and the answer is always right.

Malcolm Blake has written articles on all manner of games, including popular flash PSP games.

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