If You Aren’t Playing Preschool Games, You're Missing Out!
- Melissa McCall
- May 19, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 5
I’ll never forget the first time that I took my baby girl to story time at the library. She was a fresh four months old, and there I was…a new mama ready to give my daughter the world! I remember the librarian gathering all the parents on the floor in a circle, babies on the ground between our legs. We would gently roll a ball back and forth around the circle singing, “I roll the ball to you. You roll the ball to me. I roll the ball to you, and you roll the ball to me.” Little feet fluttered back and forth with the anticipation of the ball moving around the circle and heading toward the different babies.
As I reflect on the importance of games as a preschool teacher, I can’t help but realize just how truly important games are for children. Think about the amazing things that were taking place in that simple roll-a-ball game for our babies: patience waiting for the ball to come towards you, eye-hand coordination to reach for the ball, tracking of the ball with your eyes, phonological awareness skills in the song. Wow! Who would have thought so much learning was taking place in such a simple game!
This is just one simple example of the many amazing benefits of using games with young children. Today, we are going to dive into the how, what, and why of incorporating preschool games into your classroom or home!
WHY Use games?
Do you use games with preschoolers? If not, start NOW! Games offer so much value, from academic skill building to social-emotional skills. Let’s dive into the numerous benefits:
Engagement and Motivation:
Playful Learning: Games tap into a child's natural desire to play, making learning an engaging and enjoyable experience. Children are more likely to be motivated and focused when they're having fun.
Active Participation: Games often involve movement, singing, chanting, or interacting with others. This active participation keeps children alert and engaged in the learning process.
Skill Development:
Cognitive Skills: Many games require critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and memory skills. Matching games, puzzles, and strategy games all help children develop these vital cognitive abilities.
Social-Emotional Skills: Games often involve cooperation, turn-taking, sharing, and communication. Children learn to navigate social situations, express themselves, build resilience, and manage emotions through play.
Language Skills: Games provide opportunities for children to practice vocabulary, use descriptive language, follow instructions, and engage in conversation. Singing games, storytelling prompts, and word games all promote language development.
Additional Benefits:
Builds Confidence: Mastering a game and experiencing success helps children develop a sense of accomplishment and build confidence in their abilities.
Sparks Creativity: Open-ended games encourage imagination and creativity. Children can invent new rules, storylines, and uses for game pieces, fostering creative thinking.
GAMES ARE FUN!!!
Another WHY: Observation and Assessment
Another great benefit to playing games is the power of observation and assessment. Because games encompass so many different learning objectives, a simple observation of children playing games can provide tons of great information that you can use for future teaching and guiding. Imagine that you are observing a small group of children playing one of my favorite beginning games, The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game by Educational Insights. Here is a list of the many different skills that you can assess by observing children playing this one game for just a short period of time:
Fine Motor:
Hand strength
Eye-hand coordination
Math:
One-to-one correspondence
Number ID
Color ID
Literacy:
Basic vocabulary: sneak, wind, steal
Listening to directions
Social-Emotional:
Taking turns
Resilience
Positive
Sharing objects
Cognitive:
Attention
Strategy
HOW to Use Games Successfully with Preschoolers
Here are some tips to get the most out of board games with your little learners:
1. Choose Age-Appropriate Games: Select games with simple rules, large pieces, and short playing times suitable for preschoolers' attention spans. Look for games that focus on counting, matching, colors, shapes, or basic vocabulary.
2. Teach How to Play First: Before play begins, go over the game's objective and basic rules in a clear and concise way. Use visuals like pictures or demonstrations to aid understanding. Set the children up for success!
3. Model Positive Play: Play the game alongside your students at first. Demonstrate taking turns, following rules, and showing good sportsmanship when winning or losing. Talk through your moves and strategies to encourage critical thinking.
4. Focus on the Fun, Not the Finish Line: The primary goal is to have fun and learn through play. Remind your children not to get hung up on winning or losing. Encourage cooperation and praise good sportsmanship.
Bonus Tips:
Let the children help set up the game. This fosters responsibility and ownership.
Store games in easily accessible containers. I love to store the games in THESE!
Encourage independent play during free time.
Rotate games periodically. This keeps things fresh and introduces new learning opportunities.
Be prepared to be the peacemaker. Children are still learning HOW to play kindly.
WHAT to Play: Favorite Toddler Games and Preschool Games by Age:
CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE FOR MY AMAZON IDEAS PAGE!
Ages 1-3:
Monkey Around by Peaceable Kingdom - I LOVE Peaceable Kingdom!
Scavenger Hunt Cards at Home by Mollybee Kids
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game by Educational Insights - Fav 1st Game!
Seek-a-Boo Game by Mindware
My First Game: Tail Trails, Listening & Following Directions Game by Educational Insights
Ages 3-6:
Alphabet Island by Learning Resources
Uncle Wiggily Game by Winning Moves
Guess in Ten Junior by Skillsmatics
UNO by Mattel
HiHo! Cheerio! By Hasbro
Guess WhoO by Winning Moves Game
The Floor is Lava by Goliath
Lion in My Way by Eeboo
Create a Story Cards by Eeboo
Do you have a game to add to this list? I would LOVE to hear! Comment below!
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We believe that every child deserves a bright future, and this begins with a strong foundation in early literacy skills. At Moving Little Minds, we are dedicated to providing research-based literacy activities in fun and engaging ways! By merging instruction with play, we ensure that children are reaching their full potential and embark on their educational journey well-prepared for the future! Let's build those KEY emergent literacy skills together.
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