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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to games, and more particularly, to instructional
games designed to teach and promote good nutrition and exercise habits in
young children as well as provide entertainment and reinforcement of
normative values.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A growing number of Americans, as well as scientists and health
professionals, are becoming increasingly aware of the interrelatedness of
good nutrition and exercise habits and a healthy cardiovascular system.
Similarly, there is a growing awareness that it is easier to instill good
habits at an early age rather than to effect a change in poor habits at a
later age. As a result a number of nutrition-oriented games have been
developed which attempt to provide educational features which impart
information to allow informed choices regarding calories, sodium intake,
saturated and polyunsaturated fats, cholesterol, and the like. Among the
games developed are U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,628 (Pope), a diet game which
concerns itself with weight loss, U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,840 (Curtiss), a
game which emphasizes the relationship between food consumption, exercise,
and weight control, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,721 (McKay), a game which
concerns itself with a nutritional characteristic and daily requirements
for good health.
All of the aforementioned games are directed to older individuals and
attempt to modify established behavior through instruction. The game of
the present invention is directed toward three to six year olds and
attempts to teach good nutrition and exercise habits in the formative
years thereby ensuring that individuals will recognize and practice
informed choices throughout their lives.
Accordingly it is the general object of the present invention to provide a
game apparatus from which habits conducive to good cardiovascular health
will result. It is another object of the present invention to provide a
game which affords entertainment while imparting the nutritional skills
necessary to make informed choices and recognition of the role of exercise
in good health. It is a further object of the present invention to
reinforce normative values. Other objects and features will be in part
apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a game board apparatus for a nutrition education
game aimed at three to six year olds which is designed to be played by two
or more players. While it is not necessary that one of the players be an
adult, it is generally advisable since one of the players will need to be
able to read the information presented on the game cards.
The game apparatus includes a game board on which a heart-shaped playing
path consisting of contiguous, sequential spaces is imprinted; a chance
determining means, such as a spinner or die and cup; a plurality of game
cards on which a positive or negative statement is imprinted together with
instructions for how to proceed; a plurality of heart-shaped game tokens
on which is imprinted a stylized happy or sad face; and a plurality of
playing pieces.
To play the game, each player chooses a playing piece which he places on
the "Start" space. A first player is then chosen by some agreed upon
manner, such as whomever gets the highest number on a turn of the spinner,
and play then proceeds in a clockwise fashion. The first player then spins
and traverses the playing path the number of spaces indicated by the
spinner. He then draws a game card which contains either a positive or
negative statement and follows the instructions contained on the game card
respecting taking a "happy face" heart-shaped game token or a "sad face"
heart-shaped game token. The player to the left of the first player then
spins, moves his playing piece the indicated number of spaces on the
playing path, selects a game card, and then acts accordingly. Play
continues in this fashion until all players have traversed the entire
playing path. At that time, each player matches and discards one "happy
face" heart-shaped game token for each "sad face" heart-shaped game token
he holds. The winner is the player who has the most "happy face"
heart-shaped game tokens remaining.
As the game is played, each player's playing piece will land on a plurality
of sequential spaces on which are imprinted foods and exercises which are
necessary to good cardiovascular health. The foods shown are selected from
the four basic food groups. The exercises shown are activities which
require the heart to sustain a certain level of activity for an extended
period of time. Through association, then, a child will learn what types
of foods and activities are needed to keep his heart healthy.
In a preferred embodiment, all the component game parts are created and
decorated to reinforce certain physiological facts, the positive value of
good nutrition and exercise on the cardiovascular system, and the positive
value of conducting oneself in accordance with normative values. For
instance, on the game board, the contiguous playing path is a conventional
stylized heart shape and the background is decorated with happy children
some of whom are playing ball, others of whom are playing on playground
equipment, and still others of whom are playing with their pets. A
background showing exercise was chosen to reinforce the fact that the
heart is a muscle which requires regular exercise. Further, the playing
path itself shows the types of foods and exercise requisite for good
health. Likewise, the indicia on the spinner is attractively colored fresh
fruits and vegetables. The playing cards are a rich red to associate one's
behavior with the heart. Additionally, when the behavior indicated on the
card is positive, the player chooses a red, heart-shaped token with a
smile on it. When the behavior described is negative, the player chooses a
red, heart-shaped token with a frown on it. Finally, the playing pieces
are shaped like children.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the playing board of the present invention.
FIG. 2 depicts one of the plurality of game cards which impart positive
information together with instructions for the game players.
FIG. 3 depicts one of the plurality of game cards which impart negative
information together with instructions for game players.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a "happy face" game token.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a "sad face" game token.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spinner of the present invention.
FIG. 7 depicts playing pieces constructed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters represent
like elements, FIG. 1 shows a game board 20, which is of a conventional
square shape, on which is imprinted a heart-shaped playing path 21. The
background of game board 20 is further imprinted with indicia 22 depicting
exercise in which three to six year old children might engage. The area
within playing path 21 is imprinted with a "happy face" heart shape 40, a
"sad face" heart shape 50, and a designated area 30 for the game cards.
Playing path 21 is formed from thirty contiguous, sequential spaces on
which foods from each of the four basic food groups and exercise conducive
to good cardiovascular health are depicted. The four basic food groups
include: (1) cereal, breads and other grains, (2) lean meat and low-fat
cheese, (3) lowfat milk and dairy products, and (4) fruits and vegetables.
Pointed out in particular on playing path 21 are a start space 23, an
exercise space 24 denoted as "ball", lean meat and lowfat cheese spaces,
such as space 25 labeled "chicken", fresh fruit and vegetable spaces, such
as space 26 labeled "strawberry", lowfat milk and dairy spaces, such as
space 27 labeled "milk", cereal, bread and other grains spaces, such as
space 28 labeled "rice", and an end space 29. Also shown is "happy face"
heart shape 40, which corresponds to a "happy face" heart-shaped game
tokens 41 (FIG. 4), "sad face" heart shape 50, which corresponds to a "sad
face" heart-shaped game tokens 51 (FIG. 5), and designated area 30 for
game cards 31 (FIG. 2) and game cards 32 (FIG. 3). Close examination of
playing path 21 will reveal the following spaces, which are randomly
intermixed along the playing path:
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Cereal, Breads, and Lean Meat and
Other Grains Group Lowfat Cheese
Bread Cheese
Cereal Chicken
Rice Fish (2)
Rolls Lean Meat
Spaghetti Turkey
Lowfat Milk and Fruits and
Dairy Products Vegetables
Ice Milk Apple
Milk Banana
Yogurt Beans
Exercise Carrots
Bicycle Corn
Ball Grapes
Exercise Orange
Jump Rope Peas
Skating Potato
Strawberry
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FIG. 2 shows a game card in greater detail. These game cards contain a
positive statement and instructions to take a "happy face" heart-shaped
game token 41, shown at FIG. 4. In a preferred embodiment the cards are
red with white writing to reinforce the concept of a healthy heart.
Other positive statements shown on the cards include:
I had oatmeal for breakfast instead of sugar flakes.
I had ice milk instead of ice cream because it doesn't have so much fat in
it.
I had raisins instead of a candy bar and I brushed my teeth after I was
finished eating them.
I had popcorn for a snack and it was flavored with margarine instead of
butter and I went easy on the salt.
I had a peanut butter sandwich instead of a hamburger for lunch. I couldn't
brush my teeth when I finished but I rinsed my mouth with some water. It's
good but it really does stick to my teeth.
I had juice, cereal, and light wheat toast for breakfast. And, I had a
glass of lowfat milk. I know breakfast is an important meal.
I had pretzels instead of potato chips. Pretzels are a better choice
because they are not so greasy.
Today I had a big bunch of grapes for a snack after school.
I had a banana for a snack today.
I was riding my bike and I got home before dark like I'm supposed to. I
know that is the safe thing to do.
I went to the grocery store with my mom and dad. The cart was filled with
healthy foods and I did not bug them for junk food.
I went to visit my grandparents today and I took them some fruit.
I helped my mom and dad rake the leaves and clean up the yard. I had a good
time and got lots of exercise.
We have a new classmate at school and I invited him to play at recess with
me and my friends.
One of my classmates was having a hard time with some school work. I know
how to do it, so I helped. It makes me feel good inside when I help
people.
FIG. 3 shows a game card 32 in greater detail. These game cards contain a
negative statement and instructions to take a "sad face" heart-shaped game
token 51, shown at FIG. 5. In a preferred embodiment the cards are red
with white writing to reinforce the concept of a healthy heart.
Other negative statements shown on the cards include:
I saved my milk money to buy candy after school.
My mom packed an apple in my lunch and I traded it for a candy bar.
The box of cereal I picked at the store is sugar coated. I know the healthy
cereal does not have any added sugar.
My choice for a snack was a bag of chips and a soda.
I skipped breakfast. I know that's no way to start the day.
My after school snack was soda and cookies and I didn't even brush my teeth
after eating all that sweet stuff.
I put too much salt on my food.
I was playing outside and I came in to get a drink. My choice was a soda.
My mom and dad wanted to take a walk with me tonight but I wanted to play
video games. A walk would have been good exercise.
I was riding my bike and I did not get home before dark like I was supposed
to. I know it is not safe to ride after it gets dark.
My friends came by for me to play outdoors but I stayed in and watched
cartoons on TV.
I was talking and disturbing the rest of my classmates at school today.
FIG. 4 shows a "happy face" heart-shaped game token 41 which is seen to
have "eyes" made from an orange section and a "mouth" from a banana. In a
preferred embodiment, the game token is red with the eyes being orange and
the mouth being yellow.
FIG. 5 shows a "sad face" heart-shaped game token 51 which is likewise seen
to have "eyes" made from an orange section and a "mouth" from a banana.
Once again, in a preferred embodiment, the game token is red with the eyes
being orange and the mouth being yellow.
FIG. 6 illustrates a spinner 60 bearing the numbers 1 through 6. The
spinner is decorated with various food items including a watermelon, fish,
apple, pear, grapes, banana, carrot, potato, strawberry, pickle, pumpkin,
and tomato as might be seen in a preferred embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows the playing pieces 70 which are stylized children who are
smiling, active, and healthy.
The procedures and rules of the game with respect to the illustrated
embodiment are rather simple. A first player is chosen by some agreed upon
manner, such as whoever receives the highest number from a spin of spinner
60. That player then spins spinner 60 and moves his playing piece along
the playing path the number of spaces indicated. He then picks the top
card 31/32 from the stack of game cards located in designated area 30,
reads the statement to all the players (or has the statement read to all
the players), and selects a "happy face" heart-shaped game token 41 or
"sad face" heart-shaped game token 51 as directed by the game card. He
then returns the selected game card to the bottom of the stack of game
cards thereby ending his turn. Play then moves in a clockwise fashion and
continues until all players have successfully traversed the playing path.
Each player then matches one of his "happy face" heart-shaped game tokens
41 with one of his "sad face" heart-shaped game tokens 51 and discards the
pair of tokens. Whoever has the most "happy face" heart-shaped game tokens
remaining is declared the winner.
As will be understood, players participating in this game will quickly
learn what types of foods and exercise are requisite to good
cardiovascular health. Additionally, they will receive reinforcement of
formative nutritional and behavioral values. Because the nutritional
information and behavioral values are learned via an enjoyable and
attractive game, the information is quickly absorbed and retained.
Further, because the information and values are learned at an early age,
their use will more be likely to be practiced throughout the players'
lives.
It should be noted that the foregoing drawings and accompanying
descriptions are intended to be exemplary of a preferred embodiment of the
invention and are not intended to be exhaustive of the possibilities of
the games or types of games within the intended scope of the invention. It
should also be understood that modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in the art within the spirit of the invention. Such modifications
could include changing the chance determining means to a cup and die,
adding other positive and negative statements to the game cards, and
including blank game cards on which the players could write their own
statements. The game cards could also contain short questions with a
correct answer being rewarded with a "happy face" heart-shaped game token
and an incorrect answer being rewarded with a "sad face" heart-shaped game
token. The present invention could be also modified to appeal to various
other age groups, including adults.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the
invention are achieved and that other advantageous results are attained.
As various changes could be made in the above product without departing
from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained
in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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