5 Games to Help Your Child Learn Math [By Accident]
A Blog Post by Helaina Cappel
Published April 3, 2016
If you are like me, you grew up in a time when Mathematics was VERY hard. Teachers would tell you how to do the Math, you would listen, and hopefully some of it sunk in. Math was also VERY repetitive. Often a classmate would pipe up and ask, "what are we ever going to use this for anyway?"
Today's classrooms are different. This is because we know so much more about the way kids learn than we used to. The more research that is being done, the more information is published. As educators, we are recognizing that the best way to learn is by doing. Hopefully, your child's teacher is giving her good hands-on experiences, where math is hard and achievable.
Let me clarify something before I continue. Hard Math isn't repetitive or boring. Hard Math means that your child is challenged at the appropriate level for her ability, thereby pushing her to grasp mathematical concepts. Hard Math is analytical; it makes kids think about what they are doing, and apply it to real life situation. Hard Math inspires mathematical thinking in all aspects of life.
Hard Math doesn't have to come in the form of Math sheets, drills, and pop quizzes, as it did in the past. Some of the hardest Math I see kids doing these days happens when they don't even realize that they are doing it. Modern board games capitalize on this.
Next time you look for a game to help your child learn or practice a Math skill, look for games that aren't obviously educational games. Here are some examples of games that use Mathematical thinking/skills, and are just plain fun to play:
Foodfighters
Publisher: Kids Table Board Gaming
Game play: 2 players
Ages: 8+
Play time: 20-30 Min.
Mathematics Involved: counting, 1-to-1 correspondence, addition, subtraction, probability, analysis, problem solving, and commerce.
Foodfighters is a classic kitchen duel where Meats battle Veggies. Command your fighting Food Factions to reign supreme in the kitchen. Roll dice to knock out one of your opponent’s factions.
Rush Hour
Publisher: ThinkFun
Game play: Solo
Ages: 8+
Play time: 20-30 Min.
Mathematics Involved: problem solving, spatial reasoning, logic and analysis.
In Rush Hour, a sliding block logic game, you have to battle the gridlock as you slide the blocking vehicles out of the way for the red car to exit.
Sleeping Queens
Publisher: Gamewright
Game play: 2 -5
Ages: 8+
Play time: 20 Min.
Mathematics Involved: addition, multiplication, and memory.
The Queens have fallen under a sleeping spell and it is your job to wake them up.
Sushi Go!
Publisher: Gamewright
Game play: 2 -5
Ages: 8+
Play time: 15 Min.
Mathematics Involved: addition, multiplication, and memory.
In this sushi card game Sushi Go!, you are eating at a sushi restaurant and trying to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by.
Meta-Forms
Publisher: FoxMind
Game play: Solo
Ages: 5+
Play time: 15 Min.
Mathematics Involved: logic, problem solving, analysis, and geometry.
Meta-Forms logic puzzles are divided into 6 color-coded levels of difficulty. The puzzles range from easy for younger children, to difficult for older children and adults.
Helaina Cappel is a 7th and 8th grade Math, Science, and Design and Technology teacher in Toronto, Canada. When she isn't teaching, she is busy publishing modern board games and blogging about the connection between learning and play. For more information or to sign up for our newsletter, click here.