All parents, having a kid at the preschool age, know how difficult it is to absorb them with some free time activities. Mums and dads do everything to abstract them from computer and tablet screens. As one of the tools, they use board games to encourage children to do something educational and, at the same time, creative in their spare time. When kids have siblings, it’s even more effective as they may play together, having a lot of fun. However, even in the case of an only child, parents may engage themselves in games and devote some time to a longing preschooler.
Kids at this age demand much attention, care and love as they are developing rapidly. So they shouldn’t be left alone. Quite the contrary- adults should stand guard and support them in their first successes and failures. To show them that you’re proud of their achievements, you can buy them a new board game or search together for some online alternatives. You’ll probably be shocked what innovations you may encounter there. For example, on Unscramblex.com, you and your kids will be able to unscramble any letters that you can’t decipher in a traditional game version. And what are the benefits of all these games? To find out that, feel free to read this article.
#1. They Teach Competition
First of all, board games teach kids their first competition. If they do some sports, they already know that not everyone can win. For a little kid, losing might be a traumatic experience, especially for their first time. Thanks to such games, they learn how to lose and not to be depressed. They should know that failure isn’t the end of the world, and if it happens to them they will know how to deal with it. Also, cooperation plays here a crucial role. All these traits acquired during play, children will use later in their lives.
#2. They Develop Social Skills
Moreover, board games teach children how to communicate with others. It’s a perfect way of spending their free time with their peers and get to know each other. During the play, they have to discuss, negotiate, and work in a team. Not only do they have great fun together, but they also develop their social skills.
If kids play with their parents and siblings, it additionally strengthens family bonds. Parents don’t have enough time for their offspring on a daily basis. So, a cooperative game at the weekend is an attractive alternative for lounging around and doing nothing.
#3. They Develop Literacy
If you want your kids to be smart and well-educated, it’s not enough for them to learn a lot. The child should be exposed to many other activities that will develop their skills, for example, literacy. How to do that? Through games, such as Scrabble or Boggle, where they have to create words from particular letters. In this way, they can learn lots of new terms and meanings they haven’t known before. And even if the game isn’t strictly connected with words, they also have to read instructions, follow the rules, express their opinions, write down some notes, or describe some objects without using keywords. And all this should be done without parents’ help. Therefore, playing is such an excellent exercise for your kid’s brain.
#4. They Teach Logical Thinking
Except for developing their imagination, kids also learn how to think logically and strategically. They have to plan and organize the strategy of the game. Sometimes, the leader of the whole group is needed to be chosen. Then, other kids must listen to their instructions and try to carry out orders. What’s more, planning ahead of time and predicting your opponent’s moves will help you win the game. Even not knowing what to do, kids try some things by trial and error. And that’s the magic about board games- kids acquire lots of new skills unintentionally.
#5. They Teach Problem-Solving Skills
During games, the first problems and conflicts may appear, like in real life. Not only should kids make quick decisions to win the game, but they should also know how to solve some quarrels between the participants. Such games may evoke many strong emotions, especially in small children who want to beat their opponents at all costs. Then, they need to look for and reach some compromise. There’s nothing wrong in a little and silly argument, as long as it’s successfully ended.
Summing up, preschoolers can considerably benefit from playing board games, which can become for them a great escape and release from the Internet. They teach them healthy competition and cooperation, as well as they develop their language and strategic skills. Thus, parents should promote playing board games more often because of many educational lessons that kids can draw from them.
