Cloud Nine

(A Gleemax Post)

Being nine must be rough at times. Social pressures are really starting to bear down on kids this age. Not to say that social pressures weren’t there before, but by the time 3rd and 4th grades (in the USA) roll around, social hierarchies are starting to really take shape. Kids are trying to figure out where they fit in the pecking order of school. Gaming can help a child feel like a part of a group if that might be missing elsewhere in life. Or, if they are already part of a group (or a leader of one) gaming can help them socialize with others from different social circles. So here we go with the general characteristics of nine-year olds:

Enjoys team games. Has good body control. Is interested in developing strength, skill, and speed. Likes more complicated crafts and handwork.

Is able to remain interested in subjects or activities for a longer period of time. Seeks facts. Likes memorization. Has definite interests and curiosity. Likes reading, writing, and keeping records. Is interested in the community and other cultures and peoples. Enjoys learning about the past and the present. Likes to collect things.

Enjoys being with groups of people of the same gender. Likes group adventures and cooperative play, but also likes competition. Tests authority and exercises independence. Spends much time with friends.

Has some behavior problems, especially if he or she is not accepted by others. Is becoming very independent, dependable, and trustworthy. Is concerned about being fair, and argues over fairness. Is better able to accept his or her own failures and mistakes and take responsibility for personal actions. Is sometimes silly.

Is well aware of right and wrong. Wants to do right, but sometimes rebels. Is greatly influenced by others.

Suggestions:

Provide a variety of activities, including team games, to sustain interest and help the child develop skills.

Give specific information and facts about the rules. They want to understand how the game WORKS, not necessarily just how to play.

Do not give all the answers and strategies; allow the child time to think about and discuss answers.

Playing games about other peoples and cultures and about history can really spark their interest.

Recognize the child’s need for peer acceptance. Establish and maintain reasonable limits, but allow for independence. Teach the child how to be gracious, even when the child feels that he or she has not won. No one is ever too old to learn good sportsmanship.

Mary is our nine-year old and our oldest child. Although I had worked with younger kids prior to her birth, she was the first real experience I had with being involved with a kid on a daily basis. It was a learning experience for both of us.

Mary is a very “take charge” type of person who loves to lead games and activities. She can usually be found leading her younger siblings in a play they made up for us adults, or gathering everyone together for a board game. Then again, I often find my D&D miniatures and maps spread out across the floor (and sometimes into the hallway) so she can play “house” with them. It is quite strange to see Meepo the Dragonlord wandering across the landscape with the Warden of the Woods to go visit their friends Celestial Pegasus and Bluespawn Godslayer (with an occasional side trek to tell the various undead figures to play nice).

Although she is a gamer at heart, Mary is a lot like me when it comes to actually playing. She would rather play a game to socialize than to be completely intent on winning. Sure, she likes to win, but no longer feels emotionally devastated when she loses – as long as everyone has fun, she is having fun. Of course, there are those times when she is overly bossy during games…reminds me of the Paranoid RPG: “Happiness is Mandatory!”

It is a little hard for me to pick out Mary’s favorite games. I think it would be safe to say that her favorite is whichever one she is currently playing. Be that as it may, she loves to play D&D (role-playing and minis) and, having recently developed a love of horses, the “game” of Bella Sara (which is mostly about trading card collecting). Other than that, she loves to play just about anything else – to the point of making something up if there is nothing else around.