How Games Can Help Kids Get Better at Math?
A fun math game typically has set rules, goals, and competition—either against other players or an individual score. Clear rules and goals are important, because they let kids know exactly what to do. Competition matters because it gives kids a challenge.
The best math games have just the right level of challenge. Kids have to choose and use strategies as they play. They have to problem-solve and make decisions. Kids have a chance to win, but it’s not guaranteed. That makes things fun and exciting.
A good example is the popular card game Uno, which is easy to learn—but not always easy to win. Lots of kids (and adults) love Uno. The game helps them learn how to count and identify numbers.
Playing math games together can also help you get a better sense of your child’s strengths and challenges. And if your child wins (or just has fun) playing a math game, it can boost confidence.
Games are also just a nice change from the math schoolwork your child does. But while math games are fun, they’re best for reviewing and practicing, not teaching new concepts. To teach new things, teachers use specific strategies. They often need to spend a lot of time explaining the concept. But they might use a game to help review it.
by Andrew M.I. Lee, JD. Understood.org
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