Benefits of Playing Games with Your Child | ExpatWoman.com
 

Benefits of Playing Games with Your Child

Here are the benefits of playing games with your child and a short guide for some of the best games you can try.

Posted on

3 July 2017

Last updated on 2 January 2018
Benefits of Playing Games with Your Child
What your child most wants and needs is spending quality time with you. Nothing bolsters his self-esteem more than having his parents spending fun time with him. Playing games is an easy and excellent way to spend unhurried and enjoyable time together.
 
Moreover, when children are playing house, fighting fictional monsters or organising an imaginary tea gathering, they're actually developing crucial life skills as well as preparing their brains for the challenges of adulthood. Thus, as boring and simple as the game might seem to you, your child would not be more thrilled to enjoy it with you.
 
So why not pull out an old board game tonight, and perhaps a couple of times a week?
 
In general, games satisfy your child's competitive urges and their desire to master new skills and concepts such as:
  • Number and shape recognition
  • Grouping and counting
  • Letter recognition and reading
  • Visual perception and colour recognition

Benefits of Playing With Your Children:

1. Spending Time Together & Strengthening Bonds 

Children love to spend time with their parents and it is a fact! It is the adequate tool to allow you to really get to know your children and accompany them through their different life stages. Also, games will certainly help you be a happier parent than you already are. 

2. Development of Social Skills

The great thing about board games and other types of indoor gaming is that you are actually directly facing your child. This face-to-face interaction is an essential element for your child to develop sufficient social skills.
 
Therefore, you have the chance to guide your child through the emotions and social situations that might be beneficial for him while connecting with other people.
 
Moreover, verbal communication while playing does not only help your child develop social skills, but also develop social habits such as waiting for a turn and sharing. 

3. Development of Mental Faculties & Reflects

Social skills aren’t the only thing that children develop through play and games. Board games have clearly defined tricks to become a better gamer and eventually win. Thus, you can watch your child act and react to certain rules and situations.
 
Moreover, there are specific types of games that guide children through a better shape, pattern and colour recognition.

A Word about Winning

Children take game playing seriously. Therefore, as a parent, it is important that you guide them through the contest. 
 
When our children lose at a certain game, they might really feel sad. Opposing, when they win, they will be remarkably proud and happy. Consequently, you need to keep a balance for your child's bliss during game time considering he has a very limited ability to manage frustration and deal with the idea of losing.

Some Games Your Child Might Like

Games are certainly one of the most powerful means that can guide your children through a better development. However, you should be very careful while making a game choice; it is very important that you choose the right game to cultivate the abilities your children might have. Also, do not forget to take into account the age range and the capability of understanding of your youngsters.
 
Some Games Your Child Might Like

A short guide for some of the best games you can try are:

1. Freeze!

This game will probably be your toddler’s favourite! Choose some of his favourite tunes and turn up the volume. Ask them to dance until the music stops. When it does, they have to freeze in whatever position they find themselves in.

+ Fun and Easy

2. Scrabble Junior

Scrabble is one of the most popular word games of all time and since it was not originally created for children, a Scrabble Junior was developed especially to fit children’s average understanding rates. This makes it easier for them to enjoy the game.

+ Develop language skills

3. Monopoly Junior

This is the simpler version of the popular money-making game. The game is shorter and uses smaller dollar denominations so that kids can figure out winnings and penalties faster. 

+ Improving math and reasoning skills in addition to colour recognition.

4. Puzzles

You can use a store-bought variety or have to make a homemade one! For a home-produced puzzle, you simply have to ask your children draw a picture on a sturdy piece of cardboard or Bristol board, use a pencil to outline puzzle pieces on their drawing, cut them out and that is it!

+ Exercise creative, cognitive and problem-solving muscles

5. Hide and Seek

No list of indoor games would be complete without the famous “Hide and Seek”
 
In this classic game, one person covers his eyes and counts aloud while the other players hide. Once the counting is done, he begins looking for the hiders. 
 
Warning: Do not play this game in the dark!
 
+ Fun and Improves social skills

 
 

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