Box age limits are more like … guidelines?

 Brief research indicates that box age is influenced by more than just the skills needed to enjoy the game. Even if it was, it would be based on generalizations. Everyone differs from generalization in some way.

There are a series of factors to keep in mind when figuring out if your young players can enjoy a specific game. 

Firstly, the teaching or leading player should have played the game before trying to fudge the box age. This is so the game can be evaluated in relation to the young player. 

Know the players involved, both young player(s) [kid] and those expected to play without ignoring the box age [adult]. Adults need to have patience enough to meet the kid where they are and the leading player should know the kid’s:

• Strengths 

• Weaknesses

• Interests - game themes can help with enjoyment and modify attention span (engaging themes can boost engagement)

• Attention Span - how long do they tend to focus vs length of game

Try to balance the needs of all your players so that everyone has fun - this balance can look different for every play group.

Common skills used in gaming (not necessarily all inclusive)  

• Reading

• Math, simple and complex

• Abstract thinking

• Turn complexity

• Waiting for turn

• color/pattern matching

• Dexterity

Also keep in mind game mechanics (definitely not all inclusive)

• Quick thinking

• Bidding and Betting 

• Hidden details

• Others may be listed on BoardGameGeek.com listings for games

Evaluating a young player for compatibility for a specific game:

• If the player skills are comparable to the box age then the game is probably worth trying with the right play group.

• If one or more of the player skills is below expected for the box age and experience says that the player skills are still below game play skill, then do you want to use the game to practice a skill?

• If yes, be thoughtful if choosing more than one skill to practice.

• If not, then picking a different game may be advisable.

Note: this evaluation can apply to adults, though they generally can evaluate themselves.

Another way for some games is to ignore certain elements of game play to simplify until the player can handle all parts of game play. A good example is simplifying earning of points, like ignoring farmers in Carcassonne. 

One thing I’ve observed is that generally pre-kindergarten is harder to find kid accessible and adult engaging games. But early childhood games are important to build both life skills and the foundation for a love of gaming. I hope to do a post on those games for modifications for older players to improve engagement (both for siblings and parents)

NERFam Blogger Introduction

I should have started with this post but I needed to get the momentum started.

Hello, my name is Rowan and I am a proud nerd raised by nerds. I was raised around board gaming and the Society for Creative Anachronism and these communities expanded my life in ways school did not. My goal is to support family involvement and participation in these communities.

My Limitations

• I am not a parent, nor do I plan to be

• I am a board gamer, so beyond that I will try to link to other blogs that cover things like Role-Playing Games and LARPS.

• My thoughts are not guaranteed to be well researched. I will aim to be thoughtful.

• I will try to be inclusive, but when I miss the mark please be patient with me, I’m open to polite constructive criticism with explanation or informal evidence 

Does Anime help keep teens in Garb?

As a second generation SCAdian I've observed a few friends and their friends choose Japanese style Garb. While I didn't ask them why at the time, my theory is anime. From hearing stories from older SCAdians it wouldn't be the first time that a love of media led to a love of history and culture. Additionally, this may be a way to differentiate themselves from their parents as they grow into themselves. Maybe this develops into a whole Persona or maybe it's a phase but either way it encourages participation that works for them. 

This interest can also be a good introduction to making their own garb. My minimal research reveals loose garments with minimal tailoring and made of nearly all rectangles, so accessible to new sewists. 

Here are some links to jump start research:

• Wodefordhall : The individual articles have cited resources for further research.
• Sengokudaimyo: not only fashion but culture as well
• sbooth.net: inspiration more than source
• daigaku-ryou: outdated event listing but reading the class descriptions may lead you down some rabbit holes 
• jeongyo-teahouse.net: database of sorts for sources covering most of Asia it appears
• 
  

Sewing In miniature: A use for scrap fabric

As a kid I always wanted to include my favorite toys in the SCA too! At first that meant asking for all of Felicity Merriman's clothes for my American Girl doll and struggling with my teddy bear. As I got older I was lucky to have all the scraps from a garb merchant (my mother) at my disposal to learn to make clothes, mostly by draping to recreate the shapes I saw around me.

I struggled with not always having guidance and not knowing I could ask for cutting guides to modify into miniature. Now that there are so many more resources for sewing toy clothes, and I have more knowledge than when I was younger. I want to help guide kids to engage in the SCA by bringing their toy friends into the fun too!

Tips for garbing in miniature:

• Use cutting guides for adults but divide measurements by about 3 for 18 dolls and most Bears. You can learn these cutting guides by attending classes or by asking others who sew garb. 18 inch dolls and B-a-B tend to be about ⅓ scale, while Barbie is ⅙ scale.
• Find patterns for modern items designed for woven fabric and modify them into more period shapes. There are a lot of free patterns online, and some paid ones are even in period styles.

Four Legged buddies are a bit trickier but still doable. I hope to make another post covering tricks for them.

Free Resources

• PAcountrycrafts: the peasant blouse is the modern version of a chemise
• AGplaythings: contains links to some of the original American Girl doll outfits
• Reed Creations: a good cloak is a must for a doll going outdoors! Some scrap wool is best for rain protection
• Reed Creations : colonial garments may be useful to modify as well

Paid resources 

• PixieFaire: a lot of paid patterns to download online. Doll Tag clothing on there has some period type patterns
• lee & pearl October 2015 newsletter: There is a free modification to a paid pattern, and some other fun ideas</p>

Parents: Scaling patterns down can be good math practice or an opportunity to introduce a new skill.