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Thinking
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Free illustrated play book · PDF · 23 pagesPallankuzhi: Four Traditional Indian Counting Games
Every rule from this page, with step-by-step pictures, a puzzle for each game, maths and thinking prompts, feelings and friendship, and a teacher and parent activity. Print it for the classroom or keep it on your phone.
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An old game that teaches quietly
Pallankuzhi has been played on carved wooden boards on thinnais and verandas across Tamil Nadu for generations. It belongs to a very old family of sowing games found across Africa and Asia, called mancala games. Close cousins are Ali Guli Mane in Karnataka and Vamana Guntalu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Without a single worksheet, children count, compare, predict, plan, wait their turn and talk. Games 1 to 3 here are simpler versions, each built from one rule of the full game. Rules change from village to village and from home to home. If your family plays differently, play your way and talk about the differences.
Bring play back into the classroom
Pallankuzhi is one of the traditional games we use in our kindergarten teacher training, alongside Waldorf, Montessori and Reggio Emilia practice. Play it on a real board with tamarind seeds, cowrie shells or pebbles.