| So, you're not sure if you should buy an educational | | | | Wait a minute. Don't we all have twenty-four hours in a |
| board game. You probably think your children won't like | | | | day? Maybe it has something to do with what is |
| it, right? Well, I wasn't sure either. But I bought one | | | | important. Our children are important, aren't they? |
| anyway. Guess what....they haven't put it away yet! | | | | Make them feel like they are. |
| There are many good reasons to invest in board | | | | Reason Number Three: These games are a break |
| games. And those rumors you have heard really are | | | | from the boring routine of textbook learning. |
| not true. They are not leftovers from the dinosaur age. | | | | If your children are bored with the same old textbooks |
| Most of these games can hold a child's attention very | | | | and home work maybe it is time to try something |
| well in spite of the fact that they often are not what | | | | different. There are many ways to get information into |
| we'd consider "high tech". | | | | their heads. Why make them hate learning when they |
| Reason Number One: It gives them something to do | | | | can enjoy it? Educational board games teach the |
| besides TV and computer games. | | | | lessons without all of the drudgery. |
| OK, I know what you're thinking. We parents all think | | | | Reason Number Four: They just might learn something. |
| the same things, you know. How do I unglue them | | | | That is why the guy, or gal, who made the game did it. |
| from the TV, and/or computer games? Most of us | | | | He or she was hoping somebody, like your children, |
| allow our kids to indulge themselves with these | | | | would learn something. And they probably will. |
| electronic devices, but it leaves us with the uneasy | | | | No,scratch that. They WILL learn something. That is, if |
| feeling that there's just something unnatural or | | | | they play the game. |
| unwholesome about the messages their young minds | | | | Some games teach math, some teach reading or |
| are receiving. | | | | phonics skills, some teach history, while still others |
| How often do you tell your children, "get off of the | | | | teach moral lessons. Yes, you may have to spend a |
| computer", or "turn off the TV"? I can hear the whining | | | | little time showing them how to play. But then they get |
| already. Don't leave them with a vacuum. Give them | | | | it, and you can do something else while they learn |
| something else to do that will hold their attention. | | | | valuable skills, er, I mean play the game. We wouldn't |
| Educational board games are a great alternative. They | | | | want them to think there was an ulterior motive here. |
| are non-violent and they can teach your child many | | | | And that brings me to Reason Number Five: To have |
| important skills. | | | | fun. |
| Reason Number Two: You could use these games to | | | | Yeah, you know, fun. Wasn't that what games were |
| develop family connections. | | | | originally designed for? Educational Board Games are |
| Many games offer opportunities to discuss important | | | | certainly no exception. Not only is it a break from the |
| issues. Wouldn't it be great to know what is going on in | | | | repetitive routine that can sidetrack the learning |
| their heads? Just the fact that parents and children are | | | | process, it's just plain fun. Your formula for learning and |
| doing something together may result in better | | | | fun therefore is simple: Buy the game, open it up, and |
| understanding of one another. Of course, this does | | | | show them how to do it. Then step back and watch |
| require an investment of your time. Yep, that thing we | | | | those short attention spans disappear. Now you're |
| have so little of. I had to go and mention that, didn't I? | | | | learning. |