Playing games has always been an exciting part of growing up for us all. We recollect with happiness our childhood games and gadget free days. Sports is a great way to make friends and be healthy as well.  

Here are 4 reasons why we think playing traditional games is good for kids.

Does not require expensive gear

Indian traditional games like – Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Langadi (one-leg hopping), Skipping, Sagar-gote (five stones) and many more don’t require expensive equipment to play, nor does it require any uniform or specific shoes and accessories, all that is required is people to play with and space to play in.

Builds life skills

Playing conventional games have always brought kids together encouraging teamwork and social interaction. Most old school games require agility and movements such as swinging of arms and jumping. This boosts exercise and improves eye-hand coordination. Team games like Kabaddi and Kho –Kho require kids to come up with tactics to defeat their opponent in turn helping them to strategize and resolve their differences.  

Pass our heritage

It is equally important to teach our kids about our culture and tradition as it is to teach them new age concepts. It is vital that they know their roots and have a sense of pride about it. By playing Indian traditional games, children can connect with their heritage through sports and this has a deep lifelong positive impact on them.

Bridge generations

Sports is a great connector – across countries, ages, religions and even across socio economic statuses too. No wonder sports bridge all gaps pulling people and connecting them emotionally. Playing traditional games as a family brings the family closer, and the bond stronger. Children need unstructured playtime and introducing conventional games to the family routine can be a great bonding activity for all. Children who have strong family relationships fare well at all other aspects of life as well.

Traditional Indian games are extension of Yoga in a practical form. There are 8 sections in Yoga. Out of this 3 focus on physical well-being, refining the senses, strengthening the body and balancing your breathing. All Indian games generally encourage one or more of these three.

Unstructured play has a vital role in developing various aspects of children’s growth,behaviour and interpersonal skills therefore, the need to re-establish traditional play in children’s lives.

About ITGF

The Indian Traditional Games Festival is an annual event held in Singapore for the last 8 years. A few examples of the games played in ITGF include Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Langadi (one-leg hopping), Skipping, Sagar-gote (five stones) and many more. The Indian Traditional Games Festival which has grown from a 300 to over 2,500 participants since 2010 is a remarkable platform for kids and adults alike to bond and play. The Global Indian International School partnered with Vivekanand Seva Sangh (Singapore) and provided the venue to host the games.

Enjoy the video:

To know more about GIIS SMART Campus and its excellent educational offerings, click here.