Growing up playing games was very much part of my childhood. No mobile phones, no internet and only 4 TV channels meant my siblings, cousins and I had to make our own fun. And, pure fun it was.
Playing classic games likes snakes and ladders, Ludo or Monopoly (although if any game was going to end the fun it would be this!) were how we spent our weekends, after school hours and holidays. So, when Chad Valley – who we’ve been working with on their Play Panel sent us some games to try it was the perfect opportunity to pull Miss M away from Netflix, her Kindle and games on our phones.
Growing up I absolutely loved playing board games with my parents – it somehow made you feel a little grown up that you were playing games with your ‘cool’ parents who made time to sit and play. Obviously, I didn’t realise this at the time but this has shaped my parenting skills now. As, sitting down and actually playing board games with Miss M brings as much enjoyment, bonding and special moments for me as, I hope it does her.
It’s also great to see her playing games with her friends – and learning how to take turns, lose (or win) and share. As an only child we are very aware that it’s good for her to play and spend time with her peers as it is with us and playing solo.
As part of the Chad Valley Play Panel we have been playing the following games as a family and Miss M has been playing them with her friends; And, I’m sharing 5 reasons why I believe playing board games together is important.
Playing with Friends: Chad Valley Monkey Flip Game £11.99
Playing with Family: Chad Valley 40 Classic Board Games Bumper Set £11.99
5 reasons why I believe playing board games together is important
- Taking Turns – Playing games teaches children to wait for their turn. Be that rolling the dice, taking a card or moving your pieces around the board. Waiting patiently, engaging with other players when it’s their go – and watching the game unfold should be some of the joys of waiting your turn.
- Education through Play – Adding up the dots on the dice, counting play money or coins, adding up scores, counting your moves on the board… are just a few of the basic mathematics that children will learn though play.
- Brain Training – Exercising their brain through play keeps their mind flexible, active and helps them learn how to think ahead.
- Team Player – Playing a game in teams or individually, co-operating, agreeing who goes first, sharing skills, playing nice – all skills that will help in the real world, right?
- Winning & Losing – Nobody likes to lose but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn that you can’t always win. Games are a great, gentle way to teach this life lesson. Remember no one likes a sore loser as much as they don’t like a gloating winner. Being gracious whatever the outcome helps prove that the actual game playing is the most important part.
V. I. BE HONEST: As part of my work on the Chad Valley Play Panel we are sent a selection of toys to review on here. All thoughts, words and pictures are my own work.
