Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination

Child psychologists have recently begun to acknowledge the importance that board games have on the child's development. Research shows that board games which were actually meant to be a pass time are actually healthy, nurturing the brain's motor functions. Perhaps most board games do not include much educational content, however, it is in the manner of play that helps the child develop certain parts of the brain.

As an added value, playing these games provide for a safe and sound family activity everyone can enjoy. There are other family activities such as going to the mall, to the movies or shopping that bring the family together. However, board games seem to have that special ingredient to spice up the moments. Since the group gathers for fun and games, children are clueless about the fact that they will incur in any kind of educational activity. That makes it so much easier to entice the child into getting involved in these kinds of exercises.

The benefits of playing board games include several aspects of a developing child. He will learn to improve his social skills, becoming aware of others around him and learning to interact. A simple game of cube or a puzzle requires the child to exercise his problem solving skills. Something 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 children will learn from playing board games is the use of fair play. An uneducated child is prone to cut corners and slide a lie or two in order to finish the game as a winner. Great responsibility falls on the adults to teach them otherwise. The way they assimilate this lesson at the early stage of life, will have most definitely have its consequences during adulthood.
Most board games for children 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 happen to lose. It is at this point where proper guidance by an adult is imperative, in order to associate his experience in the game with real life situations. Teaching the child to deal with winning is not all that difficult, yet important. One should use the winning occasions to better talk about the less fortunate ones.

Some games implement the use of math and problem solving skills. Equate for example, a word version of scrabble, requires kids to use their math skills in order to win the game. Games like Upwords and Balderdash help kids improve spelling and increase their vocabulary. Cueldo, on the other hand requires sleuthing and problem solving skills. There are many other examples of games which end up being an investment in your child's development rather than an expense. What better way to learn than by having fun!

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