Board games provide fun and offer several key child development benefits that will inspire you to dust off the games you own or visit the toy section of the local retail store. Here, learn how board games help your children become well-rounded adults.

What Benefits Will Board Games Provide My Children?

1. Encourages Concentration & Focus

Board games mean stepping away from television and computer screens and putting down phones. Games allow your children to focus solely on their next task instead of being distracted by assorted notifications. The more they practice concentrating, the more they’ll apply it to other activities such as listening in class, doing homework, playing musical instruments, and participating in sports.

2. Improves Math & Language Skills

Children who play board games regularly often get early starts in language and math comprehension. Games such as Scrabble and Boggle can help increase vocabulary and reading skills while linear numerical games assist with counting and simple addition and subtraction.

3. Helps With Creative Thinking

Clue, Risk, Monopoly, chess, and assorted card games encourage frontal lobe development, or the part of the brain responsible for planning, making decisions, and organizing. Strategy board games also promote thinking ahead and coming up with creative ways to win, such as setting traps in chess or making smart real estate decisions in Monopoly.

4. Boosts Patience & Good Sportsmanship

Playing games teaches children patience and etiquette since they have to wait for their turn to use dice, spin wheels, move their players, and have fun with other board pieces. They’ll also learn to be good sports, such as congratulating the player who won or pointing out what other players did well when they win. 

Board games are among the many child development activities at Great Beginnings. The early childhood center with convenient locations in St. Charles and Cottleville, MO, offers comprehensive child care in comfortable and safe environments. Call (636) 724-5048 (St. Charles location) or (636) 447-4212 (Cottleville location) to enroll or learn more about child development services online. Keep up with the latest center news on Facebook.