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Fun and Learning
Board Games and Special Needs By Teri Brown
"Many games that don't seem like fun are often being presented to children too old, too young or without the requisite skill level necessary to enjoy them," Trammell says. "There are so many board games now available that parents and teachers can [not only choose]appropriate age and skill levels, but also focus on topics and game genres of specific interest to the child in question. For example, if a child has played with trains as a youngster, the large number of railroad-related board games provides a natural bridge into further learning."
Whatever board game you choose, remember not to force your child to play. This negates the entire point of board games, which is to learn while having fun. Next time you wander down the game aisle in a store, remember that those board games may be the bridge to help your child be all that he or she can be.
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Learning is part of the game: learning the rules, colors, how to count, wait their turn, stop and think before making a move (reflective vs. impulsive); manipulating the playing pieces; moving the pieces within each space; reading the cards; spinning the spinner; being a good loser (frustration, tolerance and coping skills); and having social contact with the other players.