Board games are an amazing parenting tool when it comes to raising your kids and building lasting connections. Todays selection of games soar beyond your classics. There is nothing wrong with a solid game of Monopoly, but it can be a struggle to play your third game of the morning, with only one of your kids. A two person game of chance can be a bit tedious. Thankfully, clever and creative people are releasing new titles all the time. It can be overwhelming when choosing the best games for your family or your kids. The dynamic of your home can thrive with the right library of games. When you are deciding what game you want to try, take a moment to reassure yourself of their value by remembering these 5 benefits.
1. Builds reasoning skills
I don't know about you, but I have said, 'why would you do that?' or 'think before you act' on more occasions then I can count. We all know I am not talking about during a game. Those comments slip out when things seem to be going downhill in our home. Frustrations, misbehaving, miscalculations and impulsive moves are a natural part of growing. Children need to learn from their actions. Games are a great way to provide your kids with the opportunity to make choices with consequences in mind. They can be simple or layered with more complicated decisions and possibilities to consider. Games provide plenty of opportunities to work through right and wrong or better and worse choices. They require the player to think ahead, considering what might happen if they move to a specific space, choose a particular card or take a certain action. For children there is a huge need for developing their reasoning skills.
2. Builds creativity
The beauty of todays massive board game selection is the endless variety of styles and themes. You can find games that suit your kids personality and playing preference. As a result your child can explore their favorite subjects and enjoy the thrill of a game. The drive to win provides the perfect motivation to think creatively. Planning a strategy or choosing how to approach a game encourages kids to consider various possible paths to winning. Playing can bubble over into other day to day activities. Whispers might be heard around the house as children plan to crush mom in the next game, or enthused voices talk over one another at the kitchen table eagerly anticipating what the next scenario might reveal. Enjoy the liveliness board games can bring to your home and the inspiration they can fill your children with.
3. Builds communication skills
The value of good communication is priceless. We could all benefit from a little improvement in this area of our lives. All the more reason to start developing the skill at an early age. If you opt for a cooperative game (where you all play together to beat the scenario), there are plenty of chances to discuss what moves are best for everyone. Even when decisions don't go the way your child wants, they get to experience the conversation. You get to demonstrate how to speak your mind and share your perspective when a problem arises. Then they get to practice. Their opinion might be 'because I want to', but voicing that is a great start. Give it time and keep the communication line open. The more you play the more chances they have to speak up and share their opinion.
4. Builds patience
A game that comes to mind when I think of patience is Monopoly. Sitting down to play starts out relatively fine, we laugh and are happy to buy the first few properties. The clock ticks on and we find ourselves at a stand still. We go around the board over and over, switching who is in the lead. Things finally take a turn, my son is obviously the winner. He has an excess of money and hotels galore. I am down to my one set, ready to mortgage, but he insists on playing it out. I love him, but the turns drag on just waiting to go completely bankrupt. As you can see I learn patience, but do my kids? Yes! I won't lie, learning comes with some outbursts, wiggling bodies and occasionally an unfinished game, but sticking it out is worth it. The wiggling will be more evidently caused by excitement and the outbursts will become that of joy. Each game you play challenges your kids to wait their turn, wait to reach the best spaces and wait to win.
5. Builds character
Observing your child grow and develop into their own person is a special experience. Watching this happen can be a bit nerve racking, especially when you have a birds eye view. Clearly, our little ones are sponges and remain that way for many years. This means what they watch, where they go and what they spend their time doing reflects in their actions. Board games provide the opportunity for a child to experiment in safe situations. Games are riddled with themes. Depending on the style a child can embrace special abilities or jobs to complete tasks. Furthermore, they are faced with emotions in a controlled environment. Hurt feels and over excitement can both bubble up while playing games. You may think this sounds like a negative, but you have a perfect opportunity to model the appropriate behavior. The desire to finish the game provides an added incentive to help a child priorities and redirect those big feelings. Even if the outcome isn't always perfect in your eyes, you are giving them the chance to learn from their actions and reactions.
Now go grab a game and get playing!
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