Playing games is not just a fun activity. Games can increase a child's intelligence through practiced repetitive knowledge and brain stimulation. In other words, games teach children to become adults. My mom taught me from an early age that games teach and reinforce key learning and social concepts. She said each game stimulates a different part of the brain and makes children more competent in different ways. Here's what she taught me. It makes sense that children learn through games. Playing is a child's way of practicing future adult behavior. To illustrate this statement, think about how much children love to play house or store. They are imitating adults.
Game playing gives children practice at social concepts like sharing and taking turns. Games teach children patience and understanding. Depending on the game, it can teach kids math and language concepts as well. Playing games can sometimes be a disappointment. There's a winner and a loser. There are also minor setbacks. Sometimes the player goes on to win after a setback. These occurrences teach children that when life's challenges are met with perseverance and practice, they can be overcome.
There's strategy to most game playing. Strategic games teach children to plan and organize. Think about a game of cards where you must arrange the cards in your hand to see their relationships to each other more clearly.
