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6 THE SHEPHERD • MAY 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO PLAYING WITH TRADITION: THE CHILDHOOD GAMES THAT SHAPED GENERATIONS IN GREECE In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s not uncommon to find children glued to screens – tablets, phones, televisions – of- ten for hours a day. While technology has its place, research continues to show that excessive screen time can negatively affect children’s attention, sleep, emotional regu- lation, and physical health. It also reduces opportunities for creative play, social con- nection, and hands-on learning. Now more than ever, families are seeking ways to reconnect with each other – and with their roots. What better way than through the traditional Greek games that entertained, educated, and shaped gener- ations of children? These timeless games encourage teamwork, movement, imagi- nation, and joy, all while building lasting memories. Let’s take a journey through some of the most beloved traditional games that children in Greece grew up playing— many of which can still bring laughter and learning to today’s families. Μήλα (“Mila” – Apples) Mila is played with one ball and at least three children. The goal of the children standing on the left and right is to “burn” (eliminate) the children in the middle. They “burn” them by hitting them with the ball. Who- ever gets hit by the ball – i.e., gets “burned” – is out of the game. If a child manages to catch the ball before it touches the ground, they earn an “apple,” which means an extra “life.” They can save this life for themselves to rejoin the game if they get burned later, or they can give it to someone else who has been burned so that person can come back in. The game continues until the outside players burn all the children in the middle. If only one child remains in the middle, they are called the “mother” (“mána”), and the goal is to burn them by throwing the ball up to ten or twelve times. If they succeed in hit- ting the “mother” within those throws, the outside team switches places with the mid- dle team. But if they fail to hit the “mother,” then that team wins a round and all of its players return to the middle. Μαντηλάκι (“Mandilaki – Little Handkerchief) The children are divided into two teams and stand facing each other at a distance of about ten meters. In the middle of this dis- tance, they draw a circle and place a small handkerchief (“mandilaki”) at its center. As soon as the signal is given, one child from each team runs toward the center, trying to grab the handkerchief and return to their team without being touched by the oppo- nent. If the opponent manages to touch them, they are taken prisoner. Prisoners can be freed (one at a time) whenever a child from their team successfully grabs the handkerchief and returns safely. The team that manages to capture all the players from the other team wins the game. Τζαμί (“Tzamí” – The Tower Game) Tzami is played by four or more children, divided into two teams. To start the game, you need six roof tiles (or flat stones) and a ball. The tiles are stacked one on top of the other to form a tower. That’s when the game begins. The first team stands behind the tower. The second team stands about sev- en or eight meters in front of the tiles. The children of the second team take turns try- ing to knock over the tower by throwing the ball at it. Each child gets one chance. If one of the children successfully knocks over the tower with the ball, the two teams scatter around the area. The first team now tries to “burn” (hit) the players of the second team by throwing the ball at them, while the sec- ond team attempts to rebuild the tower by stacking the tiles again to form the Tzami . If the second team manages to rebuild the tower before all their players are burned, they win one set. The player who places the final tile on top of the tower shouts “ Tza- mi! ” to signal the end of the round. If the first team manages to burn all the players of the second team before the tower is rebuilt, then the roles are reversed. The winner is the team that wins the most sets. These games aren’t just pieces of nostalgia— they’re tools for growth. They help develop social skills, physical coordination, cogni- tive flexibility, self-regulation, and emotion- al resilience. From a neuropsychological standpoint, traditional games promote the kind of multi-sensory learning that screen time lacks: real-world feedback, movement, eye contact, and teamwork – all essential for healthy brain development. Culturally, these games connect children to their her- itage. They teach stories, songs, and values that have been lovingly passed down from generation to generation. Playing them is a way of keeping history alive through joy. Nancy Provataris, PhD Greek Language School Director GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL Greek Festi v aL BECOME A FESTIVAL SPONSOR TODAY! Grand Sponsorships • Business ads • Web ads • Personal, congratulatory, and commemorative messages REQUEST A SPONSORSHIP FORM: sponsorship@sdgreekfestival.com GRAPHICS QUESTIONS: graphics@sdgreekfestival.com GENERAL FESTIVAL QUESTIONS: contact@sdgreekfestival.com