Abstract:
The present invention is a method and apparatus for an interactive game that provides critical thinking, character and value development. The game for a plurality of participants comprises a playing surface having a plurality of playing regions. Each of the plurality of playing regions represents a different value category. The game also comprises a plurality of decks of playing cards. One side of each playing card in each deck displays a topic corresponding to a respective one of the value categories. The game further comprises a plurality of gamepieces, each assigned to one of the plurality of participants. Each of the gamepieces marks a playing position of the corresponding participant on the playing surface. In one embodiment, each surface of the dice has a color corresponding to the color of one of the decks of cards. During play, the selection of the deck from which a card is drawn is determined by the color of the surface of the dice that is cast. The participant then has a predetermined length of time to discuss or analyze the topic provided on the card. Value and character development of participants may be enhanced through the participation and guidance of a coordinator, parent or educator.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to games, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for an interactive game which provides critical thinking, character and value development. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, a number of books and articles which address character development in children have been published. These publications typically provide guidelines to parents or educators on the discipline and character development of children. Although games have also been developed to provide educational instruction and/or entertainment value, there is a lack of a game which provides a tool for teaching life skills and for developing the participant&#39;s critical thinking, character and values. In particular, there is a lack of an interactive game that guides children or adolescents through real life scenarios in which they can make their own value-based decisions and learn to solve their own social problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a method and apparatus for an interactive game that provides critical thinking, character and value development. The game for a plurality of participants comprises a playing surface having a plurality of playing regions. Each of the plurality of playing regions represents a different value category. The game also comprises a plurality of decks of playing cards. One side of each playing card in each deck displays a topic corresponding to a respective one of the value categories. The game further comprises a plurality of gamepieces, each assigned to one of the plurality of participants. Each of the gamepieces marks a playing position of the corresponding participant on the playing surface. In one embodiment, each surface of the dice has a color corresponding to the color of one of the decks of cards. During play, the selection of the deck from which a card is drawn is determined by the color of the surface of the dice that is cast. The participant then has a predetermined length of time to discuss or analyze the topic provided on the card. Value and character development of participants may be enhanced through the participation and guidance of a coordinator, parent or educator. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment or arrangement of a game board or playing surface for playing the game in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2A-J illustrate various embodiments of the gamepieces used in playing the game in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a stand for holding each of the gamepieces shown in FIGS. 2A-J. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a dice used in playing the game in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a playing card which has thereon a topic corresponding to character and/or value development in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a timer used in playing the game in accordance to the principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment or arrangement of the game board or playing surface for playing the game in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The game board 10 is preferably divided into five playing regions, namely, a Home Region 12, a Park Region 14, a Treasure Chest Region 16, a Community Area Region 18 and a Tree-House Region 20. The five regions 12-20 may be further subdivided into various locations. In one embodiment, the Home Region is divided into a house 12a and a backyard 12b; the Park Region 14 is divided into a basketball court 14a, a baseball diamond 14b, a sandbox 14c, a playground 14d, a pond 14e and a picnic area 14f; the Community Region 28 is divided into a fast food restaurant 18a, a police station 18b and a theater 18c; and the Tree-House Region may be divided into a main tree-house 20a and a parking lot 20b. It is understood that each playing region 12-20 may be divided into fewer or a greater number of locations. 
     Also located on the game board 10 are a plurality of playing spaces 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 in which a corresponding deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a, respectively, is placed, face down. The playing spaces 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 and their corresponding deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a respectively, correspond to each of the five playing regions 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. In one embodiment, each deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a comprises fifty cards. 
     For example, a deck of home cards 22a will be placed in the space 22, which is located in the Home Region 12; a deck of park cards 24a will be placed in the park space 24, which is located in the Park Region 14; a deck of treasure chest cards 26a will be placed in the treasure chest space 26, which is located in the Treasure Chest Region 16; a deck of community cards 28a will be placed in the community space 28, which is located in the community region 18; and a deck of tree-house cards 30a will be placed in the Tree-House Region 30, which is located in the Tree-House Region. 
     In one embodiment, each deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a is of the same color as the corresponding playing space 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. Such a color-coordinating scheme facilitates playing of the game by younger participants. Each deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a, placed in the respective playing space 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30, include instructions for the player to move to a particular location such as any one of locations 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 16, 18a, 18b, 18c or 20b. 
     Each deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a further includes text describing a scenario or problem directed towards critical thinking or analysis, character and/or value development, which requires the player to review and to provide a solution. In one embodiment, the topics listed on the deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a correspond to scenarios directed towards family values (for cards placed in the home space 22); the development of social skills with peers (for cards placed in the park space 24); values directed at self discovery or the goals and perceptions of the player (for cards placed in the treasure chest space 26); development of social skills within the community (i.e., with persons other than peers) (for cards placed in the community space 28); and the development of friendship skills (for cards placed in the tree-house space 30). 
     Further examples of the topics provided on the cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a will now be described. The cards in the deck 22a associated with the Home Region 12 may pose a question or recite a scenario which facilitates the development of family values, including parental expectations, the responsibilities of children or other members of a family, respect, trust and limits directed to various types of behavior such as spending. Each card in the deck 22a may include a question or recite a scenario pertaining to any one of the above-described values. 
     The cards in the deck 24a associated with the Park Region 14 may pose a question or recite a scenario which the participant may encounter when they are out at play, or a social situation which involves his/her peer group. The cards in the deck 24a may also present a question or recite a scenario which facilitates the development of values such as honesty, loyalty and perseverance. Each card in the deck 24a may include a question or recite a scenario pertaining to any one of the above-described values. 
     The cards in the deck 26a associated with the Treasure Chest Region 16 may pose a question or recite a scenario which facilitates self-discovery (or self-analysis) for the participant or which enables the other players to become better acquainted with the dreams, goals and/or perceptions of the player. The cards in the deck 26a may also present a question or recite a scenario which facilitates the development of values such as positive mental attitude. In addition, topic on the cards 26a may present the opportunity for the educator, coordinator or parent to provide or shared role model values and skills. Each card in the deck 26a may include a question or recite a scenario pertaining to any one of the above-described values. 
     The cards in the deck 28a associated with the Community Region 18 may pose a question or recite a scenario which the participant may encounter when involved with activities in his/her community or immediate neighborhood. The scenario typically includes social situations that are outside of the participant&#39;s peer group. The scenario may also include situations that present as opportunity for the participant to develop greater cultural awareness and acceptance, understanding for others from a different religious or socio-economical background, citizenship, integrity and cooperation. In addition, various skills involving prevention and safety may be enhanced and/or developed. These include: gang and/or graffiti prevention; drug, tobacco or alcohol prevention; prevention of mental, physical or sexual abuse; safety issues involving weapons; and safety from strangers. Each card in the deck 28a may include a question or recite a scenario pertaining to any one of the above-described values. 
     The cards in the deck 30a associated with the Tree-House Region 20 may pose a question or recite a scenario that facilitates the development of initiative, compassion, understanding and friendship skills. In discussing the answers and/or solutions to the questions or scenarios posed, one of the participants, such as a coordinator, a parent or an educator, may assist younger participants in making good decisions or in developing values that are aligned with those of the coordinator, the parent or the educator. In addition, the critical thinking/analysis skills and conflict resolution skills of the younger participants may be encourage and/or enhanced. If the answer that the younger participant has provided is not acceptable, the coordinator, the parent or educator may provide guidance in exploring other options that are more acceptable. Each card in the deck 30a may include a question or recite a scenario pertaining to any one of the above-described values. 
     In one embodiment, optional cards bearing the statement &#34;YOU&#39;VE BEEN CAUGHT!&#34; may be included in any one of the decks 22a-30a. These cards recite various scenarios directed at injecting additional excitement in the form of penalties, into the game. In a preferred embodiment, the penalties will take the form of an amusing or silly task, such as requiring the bearer of the card to close his/her eyes and touch his/her nose three times. In another embodiment, an optional sixth deck of cards, known as a &#34;value&#34; deck, may be used to facilitate playing of the game with the objective of winning. The values deck includes a recitation such as &#34;You have won a value card!&#34; and the cards in the deck may be divided and interspersed among the five other decks 22a-30a. Players may collect the &#34;value&#34; cards as they proceed through the game, and the person with the greatest number of &#34;value&#34; cards at the end of the game may be declared the winner. In a further embodiment, a number of &#34;PASS&#34; cards may be distributed to each participant, prior to commencement of the game. Use of a &#34;PASS&#34; card enables sensitive participants or participants dealing with sensitive issues to pass on answering a question. For example, each participant may be provided with two &#34;PASS&#34; cards with which they may exercise the option of not answering particular questions. It is understood that fewer or a greater number of &#34;PASS&#34; cards may be distributed to each participant. 
     Table 1 illustrates exemplary scenarios or problems that may be presented on the cards in the various decks. In addition, a number of blank cards may be provided for the participants to design scenarios or problems which pertain to the participants&#39; special needs. 
     
                       TABLE 1______________________________________PLAYING REGIONS        SCENARIOS/RECITATIONS______________________________________Home Cards 22a        Location: Home        Your parents work very hard. They don&#39;t        have extra money to buy you nice        clothes. You feel guilty and        embarrassed because some kids in school        are teasing you. You know that your        family can&#39;t afford new clothes for        you . . . What can you do or say?        Location: Home        Your parents are out to dinner and your        older brother is watching you. Your        brother gets a phone call, hangs up and        abruptly leaves the house. You are        alone and scared. You don&#39;t know where        he went or why . . . What do you do?Park Cards 24a        Location: Park        A couple of kids are throwing some big        rocks at the ducks in the pond at the        park. They are laughing and being mean        to the ducks, and you are upset by their        actions . . . What can you do?        Location: Playground        You are at the park with Mom, and she is        busy talking to the other mothers. You        are being pulled off the swing by        another kid, and you&#39;re yelling for        &#34;Mom,&#34; but she doesn&#39;t seem to hear        you . . . What else can you do?        Location: On Bike Path in Park        Riding your bike through the park, you        come upon a wallet on the bike path.        You open the wallet and find lots of        money . . . What would you do?        VALUE STATED PARENT REFERENCE        STATED        Location: Basketball Court        You are playing basketball with friends        when a boy from one of your classes        comes over and wants to join in the        game. One kid objects to the boy        joining the game because he is not the        same color as the rest of the group . . .        What do you say?        VALUE STATED PARENT REFERENCE        STATED        Location: Playground        The friend that is with you in the park        wants you to deface some signs which he        thinks would be fun. What do you say to        him?Treasure Chest Cards 26a        Location: Treasure Chest        What is the nicest thing anyone has said        about you?        Location: Treasure Chest        What is something about you that no one        would know just by looking at you?        Location: Treasure Chest        If you had $1,000, how would you spend        it?        Location: Treasure Chest        Tell about your favorite T.V. program        and explain why you like it.        Location: Treasure Chest        Who has been you favorite teacher and        WHY?Community Cards 26a        Location: Community House of Worship        Your community House of Worship is        having a food drive for the needy. Why        is it important for you to participate?        Would you like to help deliver the food?        Why?        Location: Playground        You playing in the park with a friend        when an older women approaches pulling a        cart behind her. You don&#39;t know this        women, and she starts asking you        directions. What are you thinking about        her? . . .        Location: Friend&#39;s House        You are playing hide-and-seek at your        friend&#39;s house. You hide in their        parent&#39;s closet and see a hand gun in        there. What do you do?        VALUE STATED PARENT REFERENCE        STATED        Location: Scout Meeting at School        Your scout troop has made &#34;get well&#34;        cards for the community hospital. One        of the kids in the troop doesn&#39;t want to        go deliver them. You find out that his        grandfather had died in that hospital a        few week ago . . . What do you do?        VALUE STATED PARENT REFERENCE        STATED        Location: Movie Theater        Mom drops you off at the movie theater        to meet some friends and see the latest        adventure move. say you are buying your        popcorn, you hear your friends talking        about slipping into the &#34;R-rate&#34; movie        instead of the one you came to see.        What do you say to them? (You know you        are not to go to &#34;R&#34; movies.)        Location: Classroom        A new student joined your class this        year. She uses a wheelchair to get        around. Some of the kids are afraid of        her, and some kids make fun of        her . . . What do you think you would do?Tree-House Cards 28a        Location: Tree-House        One of your friends came to the tree-        house and pulled out a can of beer from        his/her jacket . . . He/she asks you to have        a sip with him/her . . . You didn&#39;t expect        your friend to ask you to drink . . . What        do you say to him/her?        VALUE STATED PARENT REFERENCE        STATED        Location: Tree-House        Your best friend likes someone and asks        you to tell him/her for her/him . . . What        do you think about the request?        VALUE STATED PARENT REFERENCE        STATED        Location: Tree-House        One of your neighborhood friends is        moving away with their mother because of        a divorce. What could you do to make        your friend feel better about the move?Miscellaneous Cards        *** You&#39;ve been caught! ***(Optional)   Penalty:        Close your eyes and touch your nose with        your fingers three times.&#34;Value&#34; Cards        ***YOU HAVE WON A VALUE***(Optional)   (Value stated and explanation given with        axioms around the boarder of the card)Pass Cards   ***YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF PASSING(Optional)   ON ANSWERING THE QUESTION***______________________________________ 
    
     To play the game, each participant selects a gamepiece 32 or character such as any one of the gamepieces 32a-j shown in FIGS. 2A-J, respectively. The gamepieces 32a-h shown in FIGS. 2A-H respectively, represent children of various ages, racial groups and of either genders. The gamepieces 32i-j shown in FIGS. 2A-J respectively illustrate a female and a male adult. For present purposes, any one of the gamepieces will be referred to as the gamepiece 32. The participant may select a gamepiece 32 that resembles himself/herself or one whose role he or she would like to assume. In one embodiment, a gamepiece 32 may be provided which permits the participant to fill in the features or skin tone of a character he or she would like to assume, or which looks like himself or herself. It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that gamepieces representing a person of any age group, such as children, youths, adults or senior citizens, of any ethnicity, nationality, or socio-economic background may be represented using the gamepiece 32. In one embodiment, the gamepieces 32 are made of a thin, plastic-coated material, such as a card board, which may be inserted into a slot 34 of a stand 36, such as that shown in FIG. 3. 
     The selected gamepieces 32, each representing a participant or player, are placed in the starting region, which is the Home Region 12. Prior to commencement of the game, the length of play and the number of players are determined. The length of play may be selected and determined by the ages of the participants and the number of participants. In one embodiment, it takes approximately 40-45 minutes for 2 players to each answer 6 questions. Once the length of play is determined, each player rolls a dice once, and the player with the highest number goes first, and turns are taken in a clockwise direction. In one embodiment, a color-coded dice 40, as shown in FIG. 4 is utilized. The color-coded dice has six surfaces 42a-f (only 42b, c and e are shown in FIG. 4), where the first to the fifth surfaces 42a-e each has a different color background 44a-e (only 44b, c and e are shown in FIG. 4). Each of the first to the fifth surfaces 42a-e also has one, two, three, four or five darkened circles 46a-e (only darkened circles 46b, c and e are shown in FIG. 4), respectively, which are of a different color from the backgrounds 44a-e. The sixth surface 42f of the dice 40 is blank, and if cast, indicates that the participant has to roll the dice 40 again. In one embodiment, the background 44f of the sixth surface 42f has a different color from the backgrounds 44a-e of the other surfaces 42a-e. In an alternate embodiment, the player who rolls a predetermined color may proceed first. The color-coded dice 40 facilitates playing of the game by younger participants. It is apparent to one of ordinary skill that various other methods of proceeding with the game may be utilized. 
     When the starting positions of the players have been determined, the first player rolls the dice 40 and proceeds to the select a card from the deck of cards 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a or 30a which has the same color as that indicated on the surface 42a-f of the dice 40 that is cast. The player reads the card&#39;s directions and moves his or her gamepiece 32 to the location or playing region 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 indicated. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary card 50 which may be selected from the deck 22a. Table 1 illustrates further examples of the topics corresponding to critical thinking or analysis, character and/or value development that may be displayed on the card in each deck 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a or 30a. It should be noted that the locations specified on the card 50 corresponding to a particular region, for example, the Community Region 18, may also extend to locations in other regions 12, 14, 16 or 20. For example, as shown in Table 1, the directions on a card in the community deck 26a may require the participant to move to a location (e.g. playground) in the Park Region 14. As soon as the player finishes reading the card, he/she turns a timer 60, such as that shown in FIG. 6, upside down. The player then has a predetermined amount of time to think about the scenario and/or problem, and to give his/her solution or answer. In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of time is 3 minutes. It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any appropriate period of time may be used. 
     Once the response is completed by the first player, the card is placed at the bottom of the originating deck and the game proceeds to the next participant. As each card is drawn, the player moves his/her gamepiece 32 to the location indicated on the card and remains there until his/her next turn. In one embodiment, two gamepieces may occupy the same space or region 12-20. This arrangement avoids repetition and/or confusion. It is also apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that fewer or a greater number of gamepieces may occupy the same space or region 12-20. The game continues until the predetermined length of time for playing has been reached or exceeded. The length of time for playing the game may, however, be extended according to the general consent of the participants or according to the direction of the coordinator, parent or educator. 
     Through participation in the game of the present invention, a participant&#39;s critical thinking or analysis, character and values may be enhanced and/or developed. In particular, a parent or educator may assist and guide children in making good value-based decisions, or with developing values that are aligned with those of the parent or the educator. As a result, children may learn to develop strong social skills (including conflict resolution skills) family values, compassion and self esteem. Adolescents may also develop conflict resolution skills and learn to cope with problems through the guidance of a peer counselor and develop strong social skills and values while learning to overcome difficult social or personal problems. Moreover, the participation in the game of the present invention may be extended to adults, who can use the game as a tool for resolving interpersonal, intrapersonal, and/or social problems, or to develop conflict resolution skills. The game of the present invention may also be used across all age groups to promote cultural awareness and to foster greater understanding among people from diverse backgrounds. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. For example, the game of the present invention may be provided electronically, as a computer game in the form of CD Roms or a video game. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.