Child psychologists have recently begun to recognize the importance of board games in child development. Research shows that board games that were actually meant to be a hobby are actually healthy and nourish the motor functions of the brain. Perhaps most board games do not include much educational content, however, it is the way of playing that helps the child to develop certain parts of the brain.
As an added value, these games provide a healthy and safe family activity that everyone can enjoy. There are other family activities like going to the mall, movies or shopping that bring the family together. However, board games seem to have that special ingredient to liven up the moments. Since the group comes together for fun and games, the children have no idea that they are going to engage in any kind of educational activity. That makes it much easier to entice the child to engage in these types of exercises.
The benefits of playing board games include various aspects of a child’s development. You will learn to improve your social skills, becoming aware of others around you and learning to interact. A simple game of cube or puzzle requires the child to exercise her problem-solving skills. Something that doctors also recommend for children with short-term memory problems. The child is required to take turns, thus practicing patience and proper social behavior. In situations where the group needs to decide who goes first, they learn about the decision-making process.
Another very important lesson that children will learn by playing board games is the use of fair play. An uneducated child is prone to taking shortcuts and slipping in a lie or two to end the game a winner. Great responsibility falls on adults to teach them otherwise. The way they assimilate this lesson early in life will surely have its consequences in adulthood.
Most children’s board games are based on chance; a roll of the dice determines the winner. Children take their games very seriously and will be very happy when they win and sad if they lose. It is at this point where adequate guidance from an adult is essential, in order to associate their experience in the game with real life situations. Teaching the child to deal with winning is not that difficult, but it is important. One should take advantage of the winning chances to speak better of the less fortunate ones.
Some games implement the use of math and problem solving skills. Equate, for example, a word version of Scrabble, requires children to use their math skills to win the game. Games like Upwords and Balderdash help children improve spelling and increase their vocabulary. Cueldo, on the other hand, requires investigative and problem-solving skills. There are many other examples of games that end up being an investment in your child’s development rather than an expense. What better way to learn than by having fun!