Why Card Games Should Be Recommended for Children
Games appear like a waste of time, but there is a burden of proof to show that they are not. More so, card games especially have huge benefits they offer to players, including them being highly educational. Meanwhile, card games are among the oldest ever invented; the first set was discovered in the 9th century. However, enough of history, let’s look at the top five reasons card games should be recommended for children.
Development of Fine Motor Skills
Children need to develop strong fine motor skills, and playing card games is natural and effective, among other options available when you click here. Playing card games is like drawing with crayons or building blocks; it works your child’s hand and finger muscles. Also, children must engage their thumb, index, and middle fingers to deal with and sort the cards.
The bilateral coordination of their hands is developed for older children who can learn how to shuffle the cards. Also, learning to shuffle cards helps develop control across the palms; the more they do it, the better they get.
Emotional Intelligence
Playing games is all about winning and losing, and parents can take this opportunity to teach their children lessons in that aspect. For example, when the child loses, the parent can teach them to be gracious with the defeat and not spite the winner. Also, they should teach their kids to congratulate the winner of the game and mean it.
In addition, the child can learn from the mistakes that caused them to lose the game. With that, parents can emphasize the importance of concentrating and practicing consistently to win in life. Meanwhile, if the child gets discouraged because they lost, parents can remind them that they did their best, but they can do better. This is a chance to teach a child emotional intelligence and the importance of working hard to improve one’s skills.
Develop Great Problem-Solving Skills
Regardless of the type of card game your child plays, problem-solving skills are one set of skills being developed. Sometimes, card games primarily involve luck, skill, or a combination of both, in which case the child must develop winning strategies. This is a great opportunity for the child to improve their ability to proffer effective solutions to problems. As the child devises strategies to overcome the difficult aspects of the game, they are inadvertently developing their problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, as they get better, they will realize that dwelling on losses wastes time and wonder, “What if?” Rather than feel frustrated, they will retrace their steps and figure out what they did wrong and how to improve.
Improved Memory and Cognitive Function
Card games typically involve flipping cards to match two cards of the same pattern, color, or shape. This can be a great way to help children build their memorization and recognition skills. Apart from memorization, simply learning and repeating the rules of a card game helps improve a child’s ability to recall information. Moreover, while card games rely on short-term memory skills, research shows they also help to improve players’ long-term memory.
Apart from memory, other cognitive functions are also being developed in a child who plays card games. For example, by matching cards and counting them in pairs, children can learn numbers and practice math logic. Card games like Go Fish, War, Snap, Hearts, Crib, and Crazy 8s can make learning math easier, more fun, and more attractive. Therefore, by letting children play card games, we build their ability to get around difficult math problems more efficiently.
Develop Social and Communication Skills
Another reason card games should be recommended for children is because they help develop their social and communication skills and help them relate better with others at school and in the playground. When kids play games, especially with other people, they learn to observe and converse with others. They also learn to read and understand other people’s emotions while allowing them to communicate clearly and honestly.
One of the most effective ways to deal with shyness in children is by introducing them to card games. As they play, they will have to talk with other players during the game, which they do easily and confidently. When a shy kid is engrossed in a game and does his best to win, he forgets his shyness. The more he plays the game, the better he communicates and is honest about his feelings.
Conclusion
Card games are fun, engaging, and competitive; they push children to operate outside their comfort zone. By calculating before they move and reading people’s expressions and reactions, they learn strategic thinking, among other things. However, when allowing children to play card games, it is important to emphasize practice and focus as a means of improvement. Thus, when you next want to play card games, include your children and watch them get smarter.
