| Your little one is going to be starting school soon, and | | | | necessary for you to adjust the rules for certain |
| you want to make sure that your son or daughter | | | | educational games for your child. For instance, if you |
| sees learning as something fun and engaging. Creating | | | | know that your little one is having trouble with numbers, |
| some educational games that you can play with your | | | | you can mark certain game pieces to remind your child |
| child is a great way to instill the importance of reading | | | | of the value of certain numbers (i.e. pieces marked |
| and writing, as well as science and math skills. Here | | | | with red show increments of five, pieces with yellow |
| are some ideas that you can use to create some | | | | show increments of ten, etc.) If you notice that it is |
| educational games of your own that your child will love | | | | difficult for your little one to remember the names of |
| playing. | | | | letters and the sounds they make, you may want to |
| Before you start using materials to create original card | | | | create flashcards with letters of the alphabet that you |
| games or board games, you should choose some | | | | can stop and use during the game when your child |
| age-appropriate games in your discount department | | | | forgets the way to sound a word out. |
| store. The games will most likely be very affordable, | | | | Now you're ready to start planning a board game that |
| so you won't have to spend more than about $20 in | | | | is just for your child. Make sure that your board |
| most cases. If you choose educational games that are | | | | contains bright colors and easy to read letters. You |
| designed for your child's age group, your child will feel | | | | can start creating a big board that contains instructions |
| accomplished when they win, and won't get too | | | | for your child (i.e. 'jump three times', 'clap four times', |
| frustrated with trying to figure out the rules of the | | | | etc.) This will teach your child to count correctly. And, |
| game. It's also a good idea to choose games that | | | | you can also help your child to recognize colors by |
| have large pieces, since these are easier for small | | | | including instructions like 'jump on the purple square', or |
| hands to work with. Card games like Old Maid will | | | | 'sit on the red space'. |
| teach your child about memory and matching, and | | | | You can play the educational games that you've |
| Crazy Eights will help your little one practice counting | | | | created for your child during family game night, so set |
| and recognizing numerical value. | | | | up a time with your family that will allow all of you to |
| However, you should also keep in mind that it may be | | | | spend quality time together. |