Board games do much more than provide excitement and entertainment; they have a multitude of benefits for young children who have brains that are still in the midst of developing. As children play board games, they are actually being taught a variety of skills that are essential for everyday life.

 

Following Instructions

 

A simple part of our lives is following instructions. The ability to follow instructions is a skill that children use every single day in school, and this ability will carry on and eventually be demonstrated when they are employed at their first job.

Board games are perfect for teaching young ones how to follow instructions, because every single game you play comes with a manual. With the instruction book given, children learn to absorb the rules and then practice them. Rules also have a variety of restrictions, which are excellent for children to learn how to play the game with limits and boundaries set in place.

“Wait your turn”, is a great example of a rule that is essential for a child’s life. How many times has your child really wanted to play with the toy their friend or sibling is already playing with? What you tell any child in this situation is, “wait your turn”. Board games that have each individual player take their turn teaches your child patience and respect as everyone goes around the board.

 

Resilience

 

Losing can be difficult, especially for young children. Board games teach children that it is okay to fail, and also how to lose graciously.

Some children can be extremely perfectionistic. Even as kids, they grow up feeling as if failure is just not an option. To prevent these tendencies from carrying onto adulthood, board games can teach children that they do not have to win at everything they do. Board games teach the lesson that when you lose, you learn. If your child loses a board game and looks as if they are about to give up, you should give them encouragement and explain to them that by losing, they can learn from mistakes and ultimately be better at the game the next time they play.

Many kids get upset when they lose and can express unsportsmanlike behavior. While playing a game with your child, provide a good example if you lose. Shake their hand and congratulate them. Once your child loses, if they don’t act fair and begin to get upset, explain their behavior to them and what is wrong with it.

 

Problem Solving

 

Most board games are extremely difficult to win if you have no strategy. So, while your child plays, they are learning the skill of tactical thinking.

To win in a board game, you must think numerous steps ahead. You must analyze the board and make quick decisions based off what you see. This is a skill that children will need for the rest of their lives when they encounter problems.

Board games encourage problem solving because your child will want to win against their opponent. They are more inclined to really process all of the different solutions and ways they can win, which is great practice for future circumstances.

 

Focusing

 

Sometimes children can struggle with focusing and attention span. Board games help to improve this.

If your child is struggling with paying attention for a long period of time, first find a game with a short length and play through the entire game with no interruptions. This could take a few tries, which is perfectly okay. Once you are able to complete that game, find a game with a longer length. Continue this process until making it through a long game is no problem. This increases your child’s attention space and ability to focus.

 

Dexterity Abilities

 

If you think of the game ‘Operation’, you know that it requires skills such as hand eye coordination and reaction time. This is just one great example of games that teach children basic motor skills.

Handwriting, sewing, typing, and science experiments all involve dexterity and motor skills. Playing board games with your children helps to prepare them for school where these skills are needed. As well, continuing to play games throughout children’s lives keeps their dexterity abilities intact.

 

Literacy & Math Skills

 

There are tons and tons of games for your children that involve math and literacy. These games are created by professionals for the purpose of teaching your child in an educational but pleasurable way.

Literacy skills are taught through reading instructions and what is stated on cards. Card games come in handy for literacy skills because children are more driven to read what is in their hand without the help of their parents so that they do not give information away about the cards they have. ‘Scrabble’ is another great game for literacy skills because it teaches children how to create and spell words.

Many games are rooted in math and allow children to learn all about counting money, addition, and subtraction. For example, children can use addition to find out how many points they need to win. As well, ‘Monopoly’ is an example of a game that requires counting money. Probability is another key skill involved in math related games. Your child is able to work through the odds of different outcomes.

 

Communication Skills

 

Some children are who are shy and quiet may have difficulty communicating with others. Board games help with communication barriers because while you are playing, you discuss the game and usually while these discussions are taking place, it can lead to conversations on broader topics.

While selecting a board game for your child, make sure you find something that they find amusing, so that your child is more motivated to have talk about that game. Choosing a board game that has a theme that they are enthusiastic about helps. Whatever their specific interest is, whether that be a video game, movie, or animal, try and find a game that has a theme of that interest. Therefore, when your child finds a board game they are passionate about, it allows them to talk and express their excitement.

 

In conclusion, board games are extremely beneficial for young ones. Your child can expand their intellectual, cognitive, perceptual, thinking, visual and memory skills. Board games are educational and entertaining and can be fun for your entire family. Stop by Playmore to view our enormous collection of children’s games!