Leveling Up Learning: Unveiling the Power-Packed Benefits of Board Games for Growing Minds!

Generation Z and Generation X have been rightly labelled “iPad Kids” by child psychologists and teachers alike. In 2023, young parents struggle to engage their children meaningfully because since the birth of this generation, they were handed a phone or digital screen, to distract them. It has become eerily common now to see toddlers throwing fits every time their digital screens are taken away. Parents are not entirely to blame; they do what they feel is right to give themselves some time off.  However, raising iPad kids is not the solution, so then what is? In this blog, KidsChaupal explores the limitless advantages of raising and engaging children through old fashioned ways.

Bored children are a parent's worst nightmare. However, this dependence on screens for entertainment didn’t exist 20 years ago. So, what did the non tech savvy children do when they were bored? We played games. As children, games like chess, scrabble, snakes and ladders, or even solitary puzzles like the Rubik's Cube were considered the highest forms of entertainment. Our parents always encouraged us to engage in these, and these left a major positive impact on all of us. 

Personally, I grew up in a household where we had scrabble matches on a regular basis. I remember the excitement and competitive spirit my 8-year-old self felt, and the sense of achievement, even when I lost to my older siblings. The benefits of these old-fashioned games are innumerable and could potentially be the solution to this generation’s short attention spans and screen addictions and bring relief to parents. 

Board games have a long, ignored past in the Indian context. The earliest evidence of board games comes from the Indus Valley Civilisation in the form of archeological finds. The game of chess is infact a modernised version of  “Chaturanga”, an ancient Indian war game which was also mentioned in the Mahabharat. The passion our parents had to teach us these games when we were children has thus been passed down to us through thousands of generations, and so have its benefits. 

Playing board games can offer a wide range of benefits for children, fostering both their intellectual and social development. Board games often involve critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning. Children learn to make decisions, analyze situations, and anticipate consequences, enhancing their cognitive abilities. Many board games incorporate educational elements, such as math, language, and general knowledge. Playing these games can reinforce academic concepts in an enjoyable and interactive way, making learning more engaging. Board games promote socialization, cooperation, and communication. Children learn to take turns, follow rules, and interact with peers, which helps develop essential social skills that are crucial for future relationships. Dealing with wins and losses during board games teaches children about sportsmanship, resilience, and emotional regulation. They learn to manage their emotions in a controlled and supportive environment and promote emotional intelligence. Board games also provide an opportunity for quality family time. Sitting together, playing a game, and enjoying each other's company can strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories. 

Many board games involve handling cards, moving game pieces, or using dice. These activities help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in younger children. Some board games encourage creativity and imagination. Whether it's storytelling games or those with open-ended strategies, children can enhance their creative thinking and imaginative abilities. Playing board games requires concentration and attention to detail. Children develop the ability to focus on a task for an extended period, which can be beneficial for academic and everyday activities, this is an extremely important element of board games, which can tackle the problem of short attention spans in children today. 

Incorporating board games into a child's routine can be a valuable and enjoyable way to promote holistic development. Raising children who are not just academically succeeding, but also excelling in their social and emotional growth is a key factor to holistic development. At KidsChaupal, hollistic learning is a concept we incorporate in everything we do. Recognizing the importance of board games, KidsChaupal has been hosting Chess classes for children of many ages. We also host regular chess tournaments to provide children a safe space to compete, learn and grow as little chess masters. 

“Chess teaches foresight, by having to plan ahead; vigilance, by having to keep watch over the whole chess board; caution, by having to restrain ourselves from making hasty moves; and finally, we learn from chess the greatest maxim in life – that even when everything seems to be going badly for us we should not lose heart, but always hoping for a change for the better, steadfastly continue searching for the solutions to our problems.”

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Statesman, philosopher, inventor, scientist, musician, economist

Besides chess, there are many other games that promote strategy building and creativity at the same time. Some of these games and toys which one can play with young children include - 

1. For the science inclined child – Science kits that include batteries and LEDs to make electrical circuits, chemistry kits, etc
2. For the creative child – Pottery kits that come with a pottery wheel, candle making kits, etc
3. For the curious child – Board games such as “Clue”, “Scotland Yard” etc. 

In more ways than one, board games have the potential of solving problems caused by increased screen time among a very young generation. As parents, teachers, mentors and responsible adults, when we hand a child a screen, we are causing irreparable damage to a child, without having a clue about it. Along with new ideas, new habits, new generations, as parents we must take what was good in our childhood and try to incorporate it into our child’s life.