| Any kid game must accomplish at least one of several | | | | without positive reinforcement any child will quickly tire |
| things. It must educate about a concept, skill or an | | | | of a card kid game. |
| historical event, reinforce development or expand on a | | | | Board games are often more effective, but are usually |
| concept as the child learns to play the kid game. The | | | | only recommended for children over the age of |
| one you decide on for your children will depend on their | | | | around 3 or 4. Before this age there is a danger that a |
| age and gender, but your child's personal preference is | | | | child might swallow one of the pieces of it. An |
| also important. | | | | example of one of this type is Brain Chain. While this is |
| Children might not enjoy a particular kid game for a | | | | a little bit complicated for very young children, it is |
| variety of reasons. If you are choosing a game for | | | | perfectly suited to any child that is learning to read. |
| your own child it is a good idea to take them shopping | | | | There are many board games that teach and |
| with you, one that you think is a great idea might not | | | | reinforce important skills and concepts, but there are |
| appeal to your child. The best game is one in which the | | | | also a lot out there that are either useless as a kid |
| learning elements are well-disguised. Children are | | | | game or just plain boring. Bright colors are usually a |
| surprisingly resistant to learning in the sphere of games, | | | | good way to keep a child interested, but simply |
| and so any kid game must be fun before it can be | | | | because a game looks good does not mean it is |
| educational. | | | | entertaining or educational. |
| For very young children and toddlers, card games are | | | | A last option is video or computer games. While most |
| always a good idea. One that uses cards usually | | | | parents would prefer that their children do not spend a |
| teaches and reinforces the concept of matching, or | | | | lot of time playing computer games, one on the |
| contains shapes and colors that the child must identify. | | | | computer can produce very fast learning, and |
| In these games a sense of achievement is vital, and | | | | encourage the important skill of group cooperation. |