A lot of parents are concerned with how their children, specifically those in elementary school, can improve academically. This is a valid concern: most schools’ curriculums only focus on the basic mathematics and English skills that students need to know for standardized tests and passing grades. However, focusing solely on these subjects does not allow young kids to learn at their full potential. There are many ways that parents can help their children strengthen certain skills that will enhance the academic process as a whole.
One of those methods is by playing word games with your kids. Word games are extremely beneficial for children because they allow them to practice reading and writing while simultaneously developing a range of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and memory. Word games can be created by parents through their children’s favorite games (such as crossword puzzles) or by playing classic games like anagrams. Here are six reasons why word games are good for your kids
They enhance reading comprehension
One of the most important skills for children to develop as they progress through school is reading comprehension. To understand what they read, students need not only vocabulary but also sufficient knowledge in grammar and punctuation. Anagrams are helpful because they give kids practice creating sentences out of words (a vital skill when because many students do not know how to create a sentence correctly) as well as spelling words. As seen on unscramblex.com these games are an effective tool for young students who are learning English as a second language because they will have the chance to practice both reading and writing simultaneously. Furthermore, this word game also teaches kids how to form sentences because it does not give them the words in any specific order.
They encourage problem-solving skills
Another important skill for students to learn as they progress through the education system is how to solve problems. This often requires creativity and critical thinking, which word games allow children to do without even realizing it. For example, when creating anagrams children must think critically about different words and find a solution that will fit in both the first and last phrases. Additionally, as kids play word games they will be introduced to a range of puzzles and strategies that will help them solve problems in the future. This way, when they are faced with an especially difficult problem in the future, they will be able to think about it critically and find a solution. The best part about this is that solving word games is fun, so kids often do not realize that they are strengthening their problem-solving skills.
They improve memory skills
One of the main reasons why children have trouble with comprehension is because they forget what they read after turning the page or miss out on something that is being explained by their teacher. After all, they are not paying attention. This can largely be attributed to the fact that students’ working memories cannot handle this information overload. To combat this, kids need to practice their memory skills as often as possible. Word games give children several chances a day to remember a certain word or a phrase simply because it is constantly being repeated and seen. What is more, as kids play these games their short-term memory function will also be improved exponentially.
They enhance critical thinking skills
The ability to critically think about a problem before coming up with a solution is an important skill that students should learn as they progress through the education system. While some people believe that this skill is innate, it can be developed with the right techniques. One way in which kids can develop their critical thinking skills is by playing word games. Not only does this give children several opportunities to think critically about a problem, but it also teaches them how to identify patterns and make connections between different items (i.e- sounds, letters, etc.). Furthermore, kids will also get a chance to practice their inductive reasoning skills because they must come up with a unique anagram every single time.
They improve oral language comprehension
In order for children to develop strong reading and writing skills, it is essential that they have strong oral language comprehension skills as well. When children are first introduced to speech-language pathologists, one of the most common speech sound disorders is speech sound delay. However, parents may not realize that there are many different types of speech-sound disorders and one is called speech sound disorder.
To understand what is being said to them, children must not only have a strong vocabulary but also be able to grasp the meaning of words quickly. Word games for kids give them several opportunities throughout the day to process oral language because they are constantly listening to the game while playing it. Not only that, through these word games children will develop an increased lexicon, which will further enhance their oral language comprehension skills. This is essential because it is impossible to understand what someone is saying without the proper vocabulary.
They are great for teamwork
Many children are naturally competitive when they play games. This can be problematic in situations where the child with the most developed skills will always win, which discourages his or her teammates from playing altogether. Word games encourage children to work together toward a common goal because they all have to figure out what the word is and how it will fit into both phrases. If one child is struggling, the other teammates can help figure out the appropriate solution. Furthermore, children are forced to pay attention to what their fellow teammates are doing at all times because they need them in order to solve the puzzle. This leads to a strong sense of unity globally among children.
Word games are an integral part of a child’s education and are effective ways of improving a child’s intelligence both in the short-term and long-term without even realizing it. Besides, word games are a great way for the entire family to bond. Therefore, if you want to help your child develop more fully so that they can be on par with their peers. With all these benefits, it is clear why parents should make word games a regular part of their children’s educations as well as their daily lives.