The Heritage of Australian Children’s Play and Oral Tradition

Abstract

The Childhood, Tradition, and Change project undertook the largest nation-wide study of children’s games and play culture in Australia in 2007-11 and resulted in a substantial archive of visual, oral, and written materials. Much of it is available on an open-access website, including details of a variety of games. This essay traces the project’s methodology and findings and examines how the online resource can contribute to understanding among scholars and laypersons of the dynamic heritage of Australian children’s play.

eCompanion

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Some children still learn the skills attached to the traditional string games.

Photo: http://ctac.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/objects/D00000036.htm.

A game called “The Greatest” that involves a lot of physical challenges.

Photo: http://ctac.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/objects/D00000038.htm.

Playing a clapping game “Miss Moo.”

Photo: http://ctac.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/objects/D00000027.htm.

A Fairy Couch.

Photo: http://ctac.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/objects/D00000007.htm.

Playing Baby’s Cradle on the monkey bars.

Photo: http://ctac.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/objects/D00000003.htm.

Table of Contents

URLs for websites, bibliographic references, and other online resources are reviewed, current, and valid at the time of publication. Oral Tradition cannot accept responsibility for the future availability of these online materials.
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