Mom's Handy Book of Backyard Games

I recommend it in my latest parenting book, "Kindergarten Simplified," because of its potential in shaping young minds and bodies. This is a perfect example of the type of things we can do to encourage physical activity through the sheer joy of play. Children can also learn to "self regulate" by having cut and dried rules to follow.

What a great idea, a book on backyard games! I wish we'd had this when our sons were growing up. But with one of them getting married next year, we're collecting material for a day (we hope isn't too far off) when we get to be the doting grandparents. In the meantime, our friends with children still in the nest are raving about it. It makes us a big hit at picnics and with the grown-ups, too.

THis book is full of wonderful ideas for moms and educators. My daughter and her friends get bored sometimes and this had games in it that I had never played before, along with ones I recognized. The kids can play together for hours without arguing and whining about being bored. As an educator this makes a great book to have especially when you have new teachers or substitute teachers. It gives them great ideas, lets the children develop physical, intellectual, and social skills, and allows the teacher to learn right along with the children. It can even break the ice for the not so assertive teachers or first day jitters. This is a wonderful book and worth the money.