Based on Piaget's theory, this book discusses the educational value of group games for the young child's social and intellectual development, suggesting ways to select or modify both new and familiar games to make them more appropriate for children's learning. Part 1 of the book provides a theoretical introduction to what is meant by good group games and to why, according to Piaget's theory, these games have tremendous educational value. Part 2 gives concrete examples of games, details the teacher's actions in these games, and provides specific directions for playing many variations of eight basic types of games: aiming, races, chasing, hiding, guessing, cards, verbal commands, and board games. Part 3 begins with a chapter devoted to the issue of competition in group games, including discussion of educators' reasons for objecting to competition in group games, ways in which competitive games can contribute to children's development, and principles of teaching competitive group games. Following this, a discussion of some principles of teaching deriving from Piaget's theory and applying to all group games is presented. Part 3 concludes with pointers for each type of game presented in part 2. Finally, a review of the major pedagogical concepts of Piaget's theory is appended. (Author/MP)