Why Games?

Peacemaking is about relationships.

The most effective way to teach any skill is through practice.  To become better readers, students need to read lots of books.  To become skilled mathematicians, students need to wrestle with sometimes confusing equations.  And to become peacemakers, they must practice supportive relationships. 

However, relationships are a difficult skill to teach, especially
without seeming overly didactic or wagging our finger too much.  Cooperative games allow participants to practice many of the skills needed in supportive relationships - communication, trust, problem solving, empathy, cooperation, among many others - in a way that is fun, engaging, and authentic.  Combined with a thorough and genuine debrief, games are a highly effective way to promote a more peaceable classroom and support young people as peacemakers.

 

 
Games of the Month

Each month, Peace Games will post a new game to download.  If you download the game and use it, please post your feedback or adaptations on our Message Board.  Check out our current Game of the Month here.

  • Follow Me: active listening, patience, giving directions, communication, asking questions, cooperation; ages 7 and up.
  • Count Up: cooperation, active listening, patience, persistence; ages 8 and up
  • The Humming Game: cooperation, non-verbal communication, risk-taking, problem solving, encouragement; ages 8 and up
  • Silent Speedball (by the students at 186th Street School): communication, cooperation, courtesy, negotiation, coordination; ages 8 and up.
  • Interview: active listening, asking questions, investigation, verbal and written communication; 10 and up
  • Mystery Clap: observation, problem solving, non-verbal communication, cooperation, deduction; ages 6 and up