Boards games Vs Technology

Play a Board Game, Improve Your Brain

By Deborah Williams

Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on yahoomailShare on emailMore Sharing Services

With the stimulating enticement of video gaming, many children have not played board games in years—if ever–, but new research suggests that having children play board games can increase their learning capacity.  The article, “Playing to Learn,” by Janet Eastman appears as part of the Summer Ed series of stories about ways to prevent summer loss.  Eastman asserts, “Research shows that games can teach children reading, math and logic, free of academic stress.   Funagain, the board game center at the Ashland High School, provides board games to help students prevent brain drain by playing cards and board games.
Proponents give the following benefits for students who play board games:

• Improved eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity
• Boosted confidence for test-taking
• Fosters a love for math if used to introduce mathematical concepts
• Teaches students how to play by the rules and how to polish social skills
• Improved planning ahead