Summary

Game names (and type): 'It', 'He', 'In', 'Master' (counting-out rhymes)
Alternative game types: choosing games, play with equipment/props, chasing games, language play, running games

Article titled 'Counting-out Customs of Australian Children' written by Dr Dorothy Howard and published in New York Folklore Quarterly in 1960. The publication discusses Australian children's counting-out games. Dr Howard's term 'counting-out' refers to the processes and devices utilised by children to decide - by selection or elimination - a player for a particular part in a game rather to specific games. She explores regional variations of counting-out methods such as rhymes, rituals, drawing sticks, tossing coins and races as well as their inclusion in different games. Dr Howard's findings are based on interviews with unidentified children and some adults, the work of folklorists Peter Opie and Henry Bolton, and her own observations of playground activities.

One of a collection of publications about children's folklore written by Dr Dorothy Howard. Dr Howard came to Australia in 1954-55 as an American Fulbright scholar to study Australian children's folklore. She travelled across Australia for 10 months collecting children's playground rhymes, games, play artefacts, etc. The original fieldwork she collected during this period is held in the Australian Children's Folklore Collection (ACFC) at Museum Victoria and includes index cards, letters and photographs.

Physical Description

Article with typed black text printed on paper. Four pages printed on both sides and folded in half to form a booklet. Includes title page.

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