Summary

Game types: ball-bouncing, ball-bouncing rhymes
Alternative game types: play with equipment/props, language play

Article titled 'The Rhythms of Ball-Bouncing and Ball-Bouncing Rhymes' written by Dr Dorothy Howard and published in the Journal of American Folklore in 1949. Dr Howard explores the rhythmic nature and physical movements of ball-bouncing rhymes chanted by American children. She categorises the ball-bouncing games and their associated rhythmic rhymes and movements according to their level of complexity. Dr Howard also considers the role of voice and the ancient origin of ball-bouncing games as well as the development of rhythm in children. Dr Howard cites the work of folklorist Mary Austin, anthropologist Ales' Hrdlicka and author Louis Untermeyer as well as her own observations in New Jersey, New York, Texas and Maryland.

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. Two pages printed on both sides and folded in half to form a booklet inside a cream cardboard cover.

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