Board games and card games have so many benefits for your children. Let’s explore why board games and card games should take up a big chunk of your play room space:
- LOSING GRACEFULLY
Children naturally don’t like to lose and unfortunately most parents don’t allow their children to experience what it’s like to lose (by allowing them to win every time), which does not prepare them for the real world. We need to teach our children resilience, and to be happy for those that are happy and sad for those that are sad, rather than fostering a sense of entitlement and delusions of grandeur. So, let them win once, and model how to lose gracefully – with enthusiasm, give them a high five and say “Great game! Well done! Let’s play again.” And then the next time, let them lose, then high five them again and say “Great game!” Would you like to play again?
- WINNING GRACEFULLY
This is just as important as losing gracefully. It’s about modelling to your child how to encourage their opponent – “Better luck next time”, “Great game – that was a close one. Should we play again?” etc.
- DEVELOPING SKILLS
Board games and card games are designed to be a fun way to get your child to develop their visual perceptual skills, lateral thinking, memory, strategising, working memory, fine motor skills, numeracy, sequencing etc.
- TURN TAKING
Introduce age-appropriate board games from as young as 3 years old. Besides all the benefits mentioned above, it also teaches them the concept of waiting for your turn and of course, impulse control.
- BONDING
Board games and card games are a great tool for having fun with your children and creating memories. It also helps them have fun with each other while they strengthen their relationship (and gives you time to get other things done). Once a week, on family night, we like to play a board game or card game while we eat dinner. The kids really enjoy that.
- TASK COMPLETION
Playing board games and card games help children to practice keeping their attention focused for extended periods of time, and seeing things through to the end without giving up – a vital stepping stone for raising resilient children.
- GET THEM UNPLUGGED
Board games and card games are a great alternative to TV and gaming time. Rainy day? No problem. Let’s choose which game we want to play. Some games are even designed to play by yourself so even if their sibling is too young and you aren’t available, they can still have loads of fun.
So get yourself a few of the old classics, and do some research on the new board games and card games out there. Build up your collection over time to keep things exciting. It’s time to have some fun!
