Manchester Development Education Project, co Manchester University, 801 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2QR

pound;16 + pound;2 pp

Think what a boost it must give a child to find the whole class being introduced to a game that belongs to the distant land their family comes from. But this collection of games from around the world will have plenty to intrigue and enthuse your children even if you are unfortunate enough to lack ethnic diversity in your school.

The pack consists of a short video, 10 games cards, and notes for teachers; it shows how games from different places can be used to develop awareness of other cultures and forge links with older generations, as well as to promote the more obvious benefits of active outdoor play.

The teacher’s notes helpfully indicate what aspects of the curriculum the activities support: there is real scope for developing cross-curricular links through the games and to help develop the self-esteem of children who have the chance to see games that are known to them and their families played and valued by their peers.

The video is perhaps the least useful part of the pack, but at pound;16 for the lot it is good value and would provide a teacher or the whole school with a framework for developing activities and projects in whatever depth was felt appropriate.

Angela Piddock is head of Wilberforce Primary School, Westminster