Traditional games exhibition
Play
Unesco Bangkok, in collaboration with Museum Siam and the National Discovery Museum Institute, held an official opening ceremony for the "Traditional Children's Games in South-East Asia Exhibition" on Saturday at the Museum Siam in Bangkok.
The exhibition introduces Unesco’s pilot project to use traditional children’s games as a learning tool. More than 90 local games from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand are included. A user-friendly English CD, “Traditional Children’s Games in South-East Asia” records children’s games from 15 ethnic groups: Ahka, Cham, Chinese-Malaysian, Indian-Malaysian, Hmong, Khmer, Lao, Mon, Malay, Mon, Muslim Thai, Buddhist Thai, Tai Lue, Tai Yai and Tai Yuan. It is designed to provide teachers alternative class activities and to encourage children to use those games in their own playgrounds.
The event showcased a Learn/Play classroom session by kindergarten students from Kasem Pithaya School. There was also a short seminar, “Toys: Values, Expectations and Meaning beyond Playing” by Weerawat Kangwannawakul, Len Dai Museum coordinator from Chiang Mai, and Suchada Tansirimas, inventor mum and award-winning blogger at “Bhoomplay’s blog: DIY toys & ideas for playtime with your kids”. The exhibition will run until September 16 on the 2nd floor of the Museum Siam, Bangkok.
Visitors can try the games on a computer provided at the venue, as well as play with a selection of traditional toys from northern Thailand.
Learn more about the project and download the games for free at www.unescobkk.org/culture/ich/children-games.
