Board games boost math ability in young children, study finds
Board games boost math ability in young children, study finds
Board games boost math ability in young children, study finds
By Taylor & Francis
July 7, 2023
Summary
Board games based on numbers, like Monopoly, Othello and Chutes and Ladders, make young children better at math, according to a comprehensive review of research published on the topic over the last 23 years.
"Using board games can be considered a strategy with potential effects on basic and complex math skills. "Board games can easily be adapted to include learning objectives related to mathematical skills or other domains.
Board game rules are fixed which limits a player's activities, and the moves on the board usually determine the overall playing situation.
All children participating in the studies received special board game sessions which took place on average twice a week for 20 minutes over one-and-a-half months.
In some of the 19 studies, children were grouped into either the number board game or to a board game that did not focus on numeracy skills.
In others, all children participated in number board games but were allocated different types.
"An interesting space for the development of intervention and assessment of board games should open up in the next few years, given the complexity of games and the need to design more and better games for educational purposes."
Reference
Taylor & Francis. (2023, July 7). Board games boost math ability in young children, study finds. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-board-games-boost-math-ability.html