11 Reasons You Should Play Games with Kids
The rise of technology in this century has changed the way we play games. From physical board games to video games to online games, games have time and again proven that if they are good, players stay engaged for very long periods of time.
Games are a great way to spend one’s free time. Not only are they fun to play, they also provide a variety of learning opportunities. Games can even help children and adults relieve stress and anxiety in a fun way.
Playing games as a family can also have different kinds of benefits that play a crucial role in child development. Here are 11 reasons why adults should play games with kids:
- Bonding time: Playing games with your children provides a great opportunity for bonding. No matter how old your children are, playing games with them provides the perfect space to unwind and share personal details. Also, it fosters a relationship built on trust and respect. Younger children who play games with adults are able to form stronger bonds from their time spent together.
- Teamwork: Children and adults who play together are encouraged to work together in order to win a game. This presents an opportunity to establish teamwork and show that adults and children can work together towards the same goal in games as well as in real life. Children also learn the importance of teamwork within their own age group through games.
- Skill development: All kinds of skills are learned through games. Children can develop their cognitive skills, speaking skills and social skills through playing games. Games can encourage children to speak and communicate more, while also developing important cognitive skills like perception and attention.
- Creativity: Playing games with varied themes or games designed with fantasy storylines and characters allows children to expand their imagination and creativity. By introducing to a variety of possibilities, even those beyond their own preference, and participating with them helps develop unique thoughts and solutions.
- Emotional management: Children who play games with adults can learn how to manage their feelings if they lose a game. Adults can help children navigate the feeling of sadness, anger or frustration. Children can learn how to win or lose well. The conversation with adults during or after the game also helps to boost their confidence and belief.
- Resolve issues: In case there are some unresolved issues or misunderstandings between an adult and children, playing games together will present a light-hearted opportunity to share thoughts and concerns. This will help to clear the air in a calm setting or even approach a delicate situation in an easy manner.
- Physical development: Young kids who play with adults learn how to coordinate their motor skills and balance. Active play allows toddlers to use all kinds of motor skills based on what the adults around them are doing. This helps to better develop their all-round motor skills.
- Builds patience: Playing games also helps adults as well as children learn how to become patient and build their patience levels, which can also be translated to real-life situations.
- Easy learning: Games also provide a fun alternative for learning. Adults can teach different subject matters to children to games which will help to keep the children engaged and interested in learning.
- Level ground: Games provide a level ground for adults to interact with children. Through playing games adults can have conversations and interactions without children feeling like they are being lectured. The games help to remove the superior-inferior relationship that is commonly felt between adults and children.
- Brain development: Playing with children also helps to develop their brain. Children can relax and have fun while still working their brain and developing their problem-solving skills. This exercises the brain and keeps it engaged which benefits children.
Although playing games has multiple benefits, they should also be played just to have a fun and relaxing time. Having an agenda to play any kind of game, may take all the fun away as well as all the benefits that come with playing games. Remove any kind of pressure by playing games with children just to have the opportunity to interact with them. Games can be played between adults and children, at home or even at school to remind children to have fun, relax and learn all in healthy proportions.
Also Read:
