Forgotten Games, Priceless Lessons: A Kindergarten in Berceni Invites You into the World of Childhood
Do you remember how you used to play for hours without feeling the need for expensive toys or a screen? Previous generations did not have technology, but they had creativity. They had different opportunities to learn what brings a team together or how to take risks and succeed—whether in front of the apartment building or on the village street. Today, when you look at your child and wonder which games truly help them develop, perhaps it is time to return to those simple yet essential lessons. At Iepurașul Bocănilă Kindergarten in Berceni, we do not limit play to break time; we see it as a fundamental form of learning.
Freedom in Play: The Engine of Social and Cognitive Development at Iepurașul Bocănilă Kindergarten in Berceni
Your child does not need a mobile app to learn how to cooperate—they simply need more freedom. The same freedom that children of previous generations experienced. Games such as tag, “Țară-țară vrem ostași,” hide-and-seek, or other traditional playground activities were, in fact, valuable exercises in negotiation, leadership, and emotional self-regulation. Psychologist Peter Gray, a researcher at Boston College, explains that through free play, children learn to create their own rules, tolerate frustration, and resolve conflicts without constant adult intervention.¹
In contrast to the modern approach that often tends to over-stimulate children cognitively through digital applications, at Iepurașul Bocănilă Kindergarten in Berceni we believe that the development of essential social skills, such as cooperation, has its roots in free play experiences. We organize unstructured play sessions in a safe yet permissive environment, encouraging children to develop their creative, decision-making, and coordination skills. Beyond simply sharing toys, children learn to take responsibility and actively contribute to the dynamics of the group.
Cultural Heritage Passed Down Through Traditional Games
Beyond its playful appearance, hopscotch represents participation in a social ritual passed down through generations, a genuine form of intangible cultural heritage. Traditional games are not merely recreational activities, but also vehicles for transmitting values and social norms. A UNESCO report highlights the role of such games in helping children internalize principles of cooperation, patience, and fairness.²
At Iepurașul Bocănilă Kindergarten in Berceni, our educators regularly integrate games such as *Rațele și vânătorii* (Dodgeball-style traditional game) and *Baba oarba* (Blind Man’s Bluff) to help children connect with the values of their community. Through these playful activities, children naturally absorb concepts such as shared rules, social roles, and a sense of belonging within their community.
Nature: The Classroom of Childhood
Far from being merely a decorative setting, natural spaces such as gardens, parks, or forests represent true laboratories for children’s exploration and development. In the past, play took place mainly outdoors, with nature serving as the natural environment for playful activities—from running and building temporary creations to exploring natural elements.
A study coordinated by Louise Chawla from the University of Colorado highlights the positive impact of repeated exposure to natural environments on children’s emotional well-being, reducing stress levels and stimulating intellectual curiosity.³ In line with these findings, at Iepurașul Bocănilă Kindergarten in Berceni, we place great importance on creating a generous green space where children not only benefit from fresh air but also actively participate in the process of discovery and learning through direct interaction with nature.
Simple Games Shape Complex Minds
A child 30 years ago could transform simple objects such as a piece of string, a wooden stick, or a newspaper into tools of imagination, demonstrating a remarkable ability to create entire narrative worlds from minimal resources. This ability, although less visible today, requires the right environment to emerge. Traditional games, despite their apparent simplicity, prove to be fertile ground for developing a child’s storytelling abilities and creative potential.
Research by Mark Runco, published in the The Journal of Creative Behavior (2014), demonstrates that divergent thinking—an essential component of spontaneous creativity—is fostered through exposure to unstructured and unconventional activities.⁴
At Iepurașul Bocănilă Kindergarten in Berceni, creative games without rigid rules or excessive constraints represent a fundamental part of the daily program. Within this environment, we encourage children to exercise their autonomy by creating, following, and improving their own rules.
Beyond their playful appearance, ball games in a corner of the playground or hopscotch represent a complex exploration of rules, relationships, and emotions that emerge between people. Children learn to manage failure, cooperate, and improvise, developing essential skills for adapting to social life. Although traditional games may not appear among the top modern educational apps, they remain resilient forms of learning—adapted and reinvented across generations. In their simplicity, they hide a wealth of meaningful experiences that support the harmonious development of childhood.
References:
¹ Gray, P. (2011). The Decline of Play and the Rise of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents. American Journal of Play, 3(4), 443-463.
² UNESCO. (2003). Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Paris.
³ Chawla, L. et al. (2014). Benefits of Nature Contact for Children. Journal of Planning Literature, 30(4), 433–452.
⁴ Runco, M. A. (2014). Creativity: Theories and Themes: Research, Development, and Practice. Elsevier.
