Board Games and Homeschooling
Games Provide Students With Critical Thinking Practice
Board games can play a role in the homeschool classroom by teaching critical thinking, mathematical operations and many other skill sets in a fun and enlightening way.
New and used board games can become wonderful learning tools in a homeschool environment through reinforcing many areas of curriculum while children are having fun. Board games can be divided into many categories depending on their objectives and methods of play. For older students games that offer scenarios are often the most entertaining, while younger children enjoy games that are fast paced and interactive.
Board Games as a Relationship Development Tool In Families
There are many board games that help youngsters work on skills in areas such as fine motor, critical thinking, math and reading as well as peer relations. Children often enjoy playing board games because to them it seems as though they are simply having fun and not learning. Playing board games can foster relationships between parents and children during their formative years hence a push for the reintroduction of "Family Game Night" by Hasbro.
How to Start A Family Games Night
There are many easy ways to start a family games night, or for homeschoolers, a family or homeschool games day. Here are some easy tips.
- Set aside a block of time which remains the same from week to week.
- If the children are many different ages, split the group by age or play one simpler game for the youngsters and then one more advanced game which pairs younger children with older ones or parents on a team.
- There should be an understood list of game day/night rules including rules on good sportsmanship and helping others.
- Families should also plan to start game day/night early enough to avoid cranky kids or the need to stop before games are finished. Try setting a time limit for longer games such as Monopoly.
Games For Young Students Ages Three to Six Years
There are many recommendations when it comes to board games for a young skill set. In particular these games are bright, fast paced and often take no more than a few minutes to play a single round. Some games recommended by Hasbro are:
- Candyland
- Luckyducks
- Elefun
- Whac-A-Mole
Games Recommended For Students Ages Six to Eight Years
Children in the six to eight year-old range are capable of understanding more complex rules and are often interested in games which are more challenging than those for the three to six year old category, according to Hasbro. This age group enjoys physically active games as well as games with simple scenarios. Some games recommended for this age group are:
- Twister
- Battleship
- Cosmic Catch
- Operation
Games For Students 8 Years of Age And Over
Though children at the young end of this age group may need some help or coaching from mom or dad or an older child most of them are capable and willing to play games rated 8-adult. Children in this category are beginning to feel comfortable with their knowledge and their abilities and they are eager to show off their many talents. The competitive nature most children naturally posses is becoming evident in this age range and therefore games often incorporate a sense of competition. Some games recommended for this age group are:
- Monopoly
- Life
- Clue
- Sorry
- Scrabble
- Pictionary
- Taboo
- Trivial Pursuit
Overall the most important part of any family game night or homeschool game day is to have fun and remember children do not have to be sitting at the kitchen table eight hours a day working in workbooks and studying lectures in order to learn. Learning can be fun!
Other Suite 101 articles that may of interest include: Active Participation In Education, Homeschooling and Summer Camp and Summer Camp for The Family.
