Dominoes, a n old game (Other Traditional Games)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Other Traditional Games
Date:	10/02/04 (211 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: teaches maths

Disadvantages: ?

Dominoes.
What are Dominoes? No they are not Pizza’s, at least not the ones I am talking about.

Dominoes originate from China where there are records of them being made in 1120. These early tiles were made from bone or ivory.
Chinese dominoes are longer than the ones we play with. Dominoes were played in the courts in Venice in the 14C. They arrived in Britain in the 14C from France.

Domino is the name of a black and white hood worn by Christian priests in winter; it is supposed that this is where the name comes from

Dominoes are a simple game consisting of 28 tiles. A centre line divides each rectangular tile; on either side of this line are spots. (example : : : | : :) There can be 0, 1, 2, 3,4, 5 or 6 spots either side of the centre. To play, one person lays a tile. Then the other player has to lay another tile matching up number of spots at one end of the tile. This continues adding dominoes end to end making a chain. If you can not match the number of spots you miss a turn till you can. The first person to use all their tiles is winner.

The image you get of dominoes is of older people playing. I know I used to play with my grandparents when I was a child, but anyone can play dominoes.

There are many sets of dominoes available. A traditional set in a wooden box is available for about £20 as a mid-price. There are other basic traditional sets cheaper and more expensive. I saw a basic box of black dominoes with white spots for £1.75p. Dominoes for children are available as simple matching sets with animals/ story characters representing the numbers so you match 2 snails or 5 dogs for example. These sets are available on line or in toyshops for about £5. You could make your own set from card.

Dominoes are easy to make. I have made many in my time, usually ones with colours or coloured dots, to help practice colour names and dominoes with shapes on to match. This supports learning shape names
(triangle, square). Children learn from play and this is a game that will reinforce maths’ skills. A pattern for how to make your own dominoes is available at http://roma.testbench.co.uk/colourdominoes

They can be made with coloured dots /objects to assist in colour recognition.
Dominoes are a very good way of introducing children to numbers. Dominoes encourage pattern recognition, sequencing, matching, and counting.
Playing dominoes is good way to help your child with numbers at home as well as at school. A game to play that encourages turn taking as well as maths’ skills.
Playing dominoes also encourages language as you talk with your child while playing. I would suggest that dominoes were suitable for a child aged 6 upwards maybe the picture ones earlier from about 4 years old.

If you want to introduce children to dominoes then start them simple, easily recognised shapes to match.

Thanks for reading have fun playing with your Children best wishes Mary.

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