Most educators would agree that one of the best ways to help students learn is by incorporating fun activities into their after-school routine. Board game after-school programs are a great way to do this! They can help improve students’ math, problem-solving, and social skills by adding the concepts into a game format. Plus, they’re a lot of fun! Read on to find out more about the benefits of board game after-school programs.
How does Board Game After School Programs Help with Learning?
Board game after-school programs can be an extremely effective way for students to learn. A suitable board game can give students the structure and support they need to succeed. In addition, board game after-school programs can help improve communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
By playing games requiring strategic thinking, students can learn how to develop and execute plans, think on their feet, and manage resources. They also feel a sense of accomplishment when they win games based on strategy. In a safe and supportive environment, students can practice these skills and learn how to apply them in real-world situations. As a result, board game after-school programs can be an invaluable tool for helping students learn and grow.
What Board Games Help Students Learn?
Board game after-school programs offer various skills children can learn, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, learning from mistakes, accepting a loss, math, reading, and more. Here are four games that give children different skill sets:
- Chess: gives students cognitive awareness and builds strategic training skills. Every play students put together requires critical thinking and prior planning skills to make the match go smoothly. Chess also improves memory as children play so they can memorize winning strategies and their opponent’s play style the more they play against them. Chess can improve focus, give children patience, and watch for the next move of their opponent carefully, which is vital for problem-solving activities and test-taking. Teachers can incorporate chess in board games after-school programs and run tournaments for competition exercises.
- SMATH: by Pressman Toy is a board game that encourages the love of mathematics, making math fun for all players! The easy-to-learn gameplay appeals to both beginning students of math and those with more confident abilities, addition and subtraction as an entry-level before moving up to multiplication and division. With tile points awarded, tracking who is ahead at each turn is easy, leading to an exciting conclusion where the player with the highest points wins! Teachers can add rewards for students who complete the most programs and entice competition between children. In addition, SMATH builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and memory retention; This is a great way to get children involved with math problems and make them attractive.
- Monopoly: board game after-school programs can be complicated for kids to learn at first. But once kids get the hang of it, they will be able to learn adding, subtracting, and multiplication skills. Students have to go around the board and earn property; the more property they take over, the easier it will be to get other players onto their property and make them pay money. Of course, the game can get pretty long, but if students are willing to tough it out, it can be a gratifying game and teach about property building.
- Checkers: this is a good choice for board game after-school programs because kids can start young and build good learning habits early on. Checkers keep students focused and produces patience; Games don’t usually run long, so students can keep playing multiple times. Checkers also punish decision-making errors, so students must take their time and learn how to approach their opponents.
How Many Board Games Should Teachers have in their Board Game After School Programs?
Board game after-school programs are an excellent way for teachers to have fun with their students while also getting them to think critically and work together. But what is the ideal number of board games for such a program? The number of games will vary depending on the size of the class and the amount of time available; however, teachers can follow this set of guidelines.
For smaller classes, it is crucial to have various games that allow students to use different play styles; This will ensure that everyone has a chance to participate and that the game stays fresh. But teachers should also remember to have only a few board games for smaller classes. When teachers add board games to the classroom, they should make sure they know what games are popular and which aren’t so they can rotate them out.
For larger classes, it is still essential to have various games. Still, it is also necessary to have multiple copies of each game so that different groups can play simultaneously. Ultimately, the number of board games in a board game after-school program should be tailored to the needs of the particular class. With a little planning, teachers can ensure that their students have a fun and educational experience.
Student Hires Programs and Activities
Student Hires makes an invaluable contribution to disadvantaged youth in our community by providing board games and other hands-on activities as part of their K-12 expanded learning and after-school programs. Led by college students, these experiences are designed to empower students with the critical thinking and job skills necessary for career readiness. Furthermore, board games are a fun introduction to educational concepts and social interactions such as communication and team-building. Student Hires is helping many young learners lay the groundwork for successful futures.
Conclusion
Board game after-school programs offer a fun way for students to socialize and give them educational benefits. Depending on how the games are set up, these programs can help with problem-solving skills, reading comprehension, and more. Even better if teachers decide to make their games. If you are looking for an after-school program that will be both enjoyable and educational for your child, consider a board game program.