We’ve grown up with classic board games like monopoly, checkers, and Chess, but there are so many new and exciting games that teach logic and kids can learn logical reasoning, which they can use in their everyday lives. Board games can foster transferable skills to use in the classroom and the playground.
There’s no question that board games can be used as educational tools; studies have proven they can. Board games are honestly a fun way of getting children to think outside of the box. However, how exactly can you teach your kids logic with board games? We’ve found the best factors to focus on that’ll jumpstart reasoning; critical thinking and have your kids thinking logically beyond their years.
The Importance Of Teaching Logic To Your Kids
Logical thinking skills are so crucial as they are necessary for our overall cognitive development, particularly problem-solving and critical thinking. Logical reasoning is a developed skill that comes from discovery, creativity, and experience.
Moreover, logical reasoning develops more vital problem-solving skills; helping kids identify a problem, develop possible solutions, and choose the best outcome. By playing logic-orientated board games, this process speeds up and makes decisions rationally and independently.
By teaching children logical skills, we can promote their critical thinking in a developing environment that will lead to self-motivation and personal empowerment. Critical thinking helps a child see other people’s views and opinions by reasoning through a problem logically; understanding and disagreeing with views they choose.
A great example is the board game Mastermind, studied by Larry Wood and Penee Stewart. Their study observed 30 students playing on the computer version of the game; and found that players improved their critical thinking and reasoning skills through trial and error.
Just a few other reasons why logical skills are beneficial for children are that it helps their memory, deductive reasoning, and concentration skills. Children cannot consider potential consequences and outcomes rationally by birth; these have to be learned. And what method could be more fun than by playing board games? The benefits seem endless so let’s look at five critical factors to consider when choosing and playing a board game to teach logic to your kids.
How To Teach Logic To Your Kids With Board Games?
Metacognition
Metacognition is the process of thinking for oneself and being aware of your thought process throughout each step. While playing board games with your kids, allow them the space and time to be mindful of their own decisions and tactics. Rather than jumping in and giving them the answer right away, let them think through the possibilities and consequences of all action choices. This way, kids learn that their decisions can lead to failure; which draws their attention to logical and critical thinking, seeing that it’s crucial when making decisions.
In a study conducted by David Reid, he found that when 2nd graders played Mastermind and Connect Four, the teacher played a crucial role in how the children learned the games and mastered them. Giving them more responsibility in choosing their decisions helped develop and mature their metacognition and overall logical skills.
Teach Logic Choosing Strategy-Orientated Board Games For Your Kids
Many people confuse logic with its neighbor, common sense. The two are not the same, and we sometimes forget that logic is a learned skill that we must master through experience and practice. Playing strategy board games is a beautiful way to hone these skills.
Developing strategy skills goes hand in hand with logical thinking. One of the most well-known strategy board games is Chess. While this might be a little too abstract for young children, a board game such as My First Castle Panic encourages strategic planning; and helps a learner assimilate into a world using their previous knowledge to devise a strategy that will work.
Applying board games such as this to a child’s educational program can be the perfect tool to immerse a child into a complex situation; that will allow them to find the most logical strategy to follow, leading to the best analytical solution.
Also Read: Best Books for 1 Year Old Baby (Boy Or Girl)
Play Games with Longer Playing Times
In a world where our awareness spans are getting shorter and shorter, playing games with longer playing times can help kids challenge their mental focus, deepening their logical skills. Board games are beneficial as they provide a stress-free; fun environment for kids to challenge themselves without a parent or teacher saying “focus!”
However, simply playing board games with long playing times is not the goal. Make sure to choose games that align with a child’s interests or allow them; to select the game to increase their investment in the activity and the outcome. Once a child is invested in a game, they won’t notice the more extended playtime; as they work through how to solve problems, win, or succeed as a group.
Choose Board Games with Cooperative Mechanisms To Teach Logic To Your Kids
It’s true that not all of us naturally grasp logical thinking, particularly the more creative thinkers. If your child is struggling with logical thinking; playing with other kids can help teach your child logic by learning through play. A game like Dinosaur Escape encourages teamwork while still requiring strategy, memory, and logic.
Another excellent option for learning cooperation and teamwork is Forbidden Desert. Board games that pit players against the board in a bid for survival offer a surefire way to get them involved; and invested in their decisions and the outcome of the group. Focusing on board games with cooperative mechanisms ensures that all kids learn from each other.
Also Read: How to Start Teaching Even and Odd Numbers To Elementary Kids?
Choose Board Games with Deductive Mechanisms
Deductive reasoning/logic is an essential procedural skill for kids to teach; and it’s the process of reasoning through multiple ideas or statements to reach a logical conclusion. We use deductive reasoning to summarize information and deduce what’s essential and what’s not in everyday life.
Deductive reasoning is the process of forming a conclusion following necessarily from a sequence of premises. We can summarize it as; “If A is equal to B and B is equal to C, then A is also equal to C”. An academic paper published by Todd Neller found that the game Clue can be used as a tool to teach deductive logic.
Choose Board Games with Math To Teach Logic To Your Kids
Mathematical logic is another crucial skill that children learn, and improving mathematical abilities can help sharpen logical and analytical skills. Many board games have math and numeracy at the heart of the game; making them a great tool to practice math skills in a fun and social environment. Zeus on the Loose is a great board game to use as it combines addition and subtraction skills with strategic thinking.
Math board games don’t necessarily have to be about addition and subtraction; and probability, estimation, and pattern recognition are also essential math skills to learn. By playing games such as Ticket to Ride: My First Journey, kids can learn crucial math skills by connecting railway routes. As they get into the game’s theme with a clear goal; they won’t even realize they’re learning as they immerse themselves in the game.
When deciding to buy your kids their next board game, look for age-appropriate games that focus on metacognition; have a longer playing time, involve strategy; and incorporate deductive and cooperative elements to teach them logic, the stepping stone to success.
Also Check: Top 8 Great Benefits Of Playing Word Games For Your Kids During Childhood
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