Sentry Page Protection

Please Wait...

Unit 7 Student Login Hi, (First Name) | Log Out

Unit 7 Student Login

Welcome, (First Name)!

Enter Member Area

(Message automatically replaces this text)

OK

My Profile Log Out

(Unit 7) Topic 6: Ready Set Go: Playing Games in the Classroom ​

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Benefits to Playing Games

​Topic 6 Page 3

Below is a list of some of the benefits to playing games in the classroom.

Entertaining
Games do not always need to be competitive, especially in the early childhood classroom. The most important factor to consider is whether or not the children are enjoying themselves. Choose games that are developmentally appropriate and something that the kids in your classroom will actually find fun to play. This is the only way that learning will be able to take place.

Promoting Exercise
Playing games that involve movement will get children up and exercising. This is a fun way to get out extra energy and promote a healthy lifestyle. 

Fostering Teamwork
Playing games that promote collaboration and communication are going to help children learn to work better with others. The common game of using a parachute to toss a ball in the air is an example of this. Other activities include creating a group painting or drawing and other creative activities in which the class has to work together.

Pass the Ball

Beginner Strategic Thinking Skills
Playing games often takes some form of strategizing and understanding of how to play the game. At this young age children begin to understand cause and effect. When a child kicks a ball into the goal, they win! This beginner concept will eventually develop into more efficient strategies such as lining your foot up correctly, taking aim, kicking hard enough, or being faster than the goalie.

Introducing Winning and Losing
Young children often aren’t developmentally ready to accept losses during gameplay. Try bringing games into the classroom that don’t involve winners and losers or change the definition of losing. Have the children change the rules so that everyone makes it to the finish line together or ask the kids how they can help their friends win the game by bending the rules. You can also focus on the fun they are having while playing instead of the end result. Children who do not care about losing can set a positive social example for their classmates by gracefully losing the game. The approach that you decide to take will depend on your individual classroom and the children you work with.

• Educational Benefits of Memory Games for Kids, Educational Toys Expert
• Why matching work is good for their brain development, How We Montessori 
• 21 absorbing quiet games for quiet times, www.kidspot.com
• 20 Fun Party Games for Toddlers (and anytime games for groups of toddlers), Brisbane