In this Book
- Freedom to Play: We Made Our Own Fun
- Book
- 2006
- Published by: Wilfrid Laurier University Press
- Series: Studies in Childhood and Family in Canada
“When we were children we made our own fun” is a frequent comment from those who were children in pre-television times. But what games, activities and amusements did children enjoy prior to the mid-1950s?
Recollections of older Canadians, selections from writings by Canadian authors and letters written to the children’s pages of agricultural publications indicate that for most children play was then, as now, an essential part of childhood. Through play, youngsters developed the physical, mental and emotional skills that helped them cope with life and taught them to get along with other children.
In both rural and urban settings, children were generally free to explore their environment. They were sent outdoors to play by both parents and teachers. Their games were generally self-organized and physically active, with domestic animals acting as important companions and playmates. Children frequently made their own toys and equipment, and, since playing rather than winning was important, most children were included in games. Special days, holidays and organizations for children and youth provided welcome breaks from daily routines. Their lives were busy, but there was always time for play, always time for fun.
Norah Lewis has provided an entertaining view of the toys, games and activities in Canada and pre-confederate Newfoundland from approximately 1900 through 1955. Her book will be of interest to historians, educators and sociologists, as well as anyone who lived through, or wants to know more about,those early years in Canada, and the games children used to play.
Table of Contents
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- pp. xiii-xiv
- INTRODUCTION
- pp. 1-32
- Go Outside and Play
- THE FAIR LAND
- pp. 35-37
- HAPPY MOUNTAINEERS
- pp. 37-38
- GOOD TIMES AT OAKVILLE
- pp. 38-39
- THE ABSOLUTE FREEDOM WE HAD
- pp. 39-43
- A TRIP ON A STEAMER
- p. 44
- WILD FLOWERS
- p. 45
- WE WERE FREE TO ROAM
- pp. 45-50
- (Untitled)
- pp. 50-51
- WE ALWAYS FOUND SOMETHING TO DO
- pp. 51-53
- WHEN OUR PARENTS WERE AWAY
- pp. 58-59
- I CAN’T RECALL A DULL MOMENT
- pp. 63-65
- THE EFFECTS OF A DISTANT WAR
- pp. 65-66
- MY GAMES PARALLEL MY LIFE
- pp. 67-70
- Playing Is Playing When Shared
- STRANGE BEDFELLOWS
- pp. 74-75
- THE KAY CHILDREN
- p. 75
- (Untitled)
- pp. 76-77
- THE VERY BEST TIME FOR US
- pp. 77-79
- SCHOOL FIELD DAY
- p. 79
- SPORTS WERE FINE
- pp. 79-80
- BOYS’ FARMING CLUB
- pp. 81-82
- FROM SMALL TOWN TO BIG CITY
- pp. 82-85
- CAMP FIRE GIRL
- p. 85
- A CHARIVARI
- pp. 85-86
- HOW I HAD FUN AS A KID
- pp. 86-88
- WE HAD FREEDOM GALORE
- pp. 88-92
- MORE PRAISE FOR THE RED CROSS
- pp. 92-93
- BEING YOUNGEST HAD ITS ADVANTAGES
- pp. 93-94
- GROWING UP IN THE OTTAWA AREA
- pp. 94-96
- CUT OUTS AND OTHER GAMES
- pp. 97-98
- DAUPHIN FAIR
- p. 98
- (Untitled)
- pp. 98-99
- CAMPING WITH THE GUIDES
- pp. 99-100
- BOY SCOUT WEEK
- pp. 100-101
- A VERY BUSY CHILDHOOD
- pp. 101-103
- THROUGH THE EYES OF A NEWCOMER
- pp. 103-105
- PAPER DOLL POEMS
- p. 106
- Playing Is Playing Games
- WE KNEW HOW TO HAVE FUN
- pp. 109-111
- LEFTY WILSON AND THE NAKED LADY
- pp. 112-115
- A FINE COASTING TRAY
- p. 115
- MADE A PAIR OF SKIS
- pp. 115-116
- TENNIS AND GOLF
- pp. 116-117
- THE GAMES KIDS (USED TO) PLAY
- pp. 117-121
- A GAME OF WAR
- pp. 121-122
- A SKATING PARTY
- p. 122
- MAKING A RINK
- pp. 122-123
- WE ORGANIZED OURSELVES
- pp. 123-125
- EVERY SEASON HAD ITS ACTIVITIES
- pp. 126-127
- A SKATING PARTY
- p. 128
- GAMES OF WAR
- pp. 128-132
- SCOTCH GAMES AT BANFF
- pp. 132-133
- PLAYING MARBLES THE ST. JOHN’S WAY
- pp. 133-134
- CHILDHOOD GAMES IN THE YUKON IN THE 1930S
- pp. 134-136
- GROWING UP IN QUEBEC
- pp. 136-138
- THERE WERE LOTS OF PLAYMATES
- pp. 138-139
- SPRING SPORT
- pp. 139-140
- SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES
- pp. 140-142
- A “MULIGAN” ROAST
- pp. 143-144
- Creating Their Own Equipment
- INSECT COLLECTION
- p. 147
- A MECHANICAL LEAF
- p. 148
- ENJOYS DOING FRETWORK
- p. 148
- BUILDING BOATS ALONG THE SKEENA
- pp. 149-150
- BIRDS RETURNING
- p. 150
- WHOOPIE TI YI YO!
- pp. 151-152
- INFECTED BY A RADIO BUG
- pp. 152-154
- ALONE BUT NOT LONELY
- pp. 155-157
- IT WAS A MAGICAL TIME
- pp. 157-159
- TRY CRAB-APPLE PIE
- p. 159
- I MADE MY OWN TOYS
- pp. 160-162
- SEEPEETZA GETS A DOLL
- pp. 162-164
- Animals: Friend, Foe,or Food
- HUNTING GOPHERS IN SASKATCHEWAN
- pp. 167-170
- VERY SPECIAL FRIENDS
- pp. 171-172
- A YOUNG SPORTSMAN
- p. 172
- FOND OF HUNTING
- p. 173
- OUR DUCK HUNT
- p. 173
- BUNNY FOR A PLAYMATE
- p. 174
- A WONDERFUL PONY
- pp. 174-175
- FEEDING THE BIRDS
- p. 175
- JOTTINGS FOR MY FAMILY
- pp. 176-180
- There Was Always Something to Do
- A PICNIC EXCURSION
- pp. 183-184
- A BOB SLED
- p. 184
- A SCHOOL PICNIC
- pp. 185-186
- CHRISTMAS IN A PRISON CAMP
- pp. 186-187
- CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR
- pp. 188-189
- OH! MY POOR DUCK
- pp. 189-190
- SPACE, FREEDOM, ACTIVE, LOVE
- pp. 191-192
- VICTORIA DAY IN PONOKA
- pp. 192-193
- A LOT OF STRENUOUS OUTDOOR FUN
- pp. 193-194
- FUN WAS SEASONAL IN EDMONTON
- pp. 195-198
- MY FAVOURITE PASTIME WAS GOING TROUTING
- pp. 199-202
- A VERY SPECIAL TIME
- pp. 202-206
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
- pp. 207-210
Additional Information
Copyright
2002