Increasing a Child's Focus With a Board Game
by Melissa Mastro

The medium that one uses to learn is as equally important as the subject matter that is being learned. It can shape the way our minds process information, solve problems and interact with others.

The variety of tools an educator chooses to use in the classroom is becoming ever increasingly important. Today, technology has become more frequently present in the child’s everyday life. While that can be beneficial in many ways, it can also lead to the child being in a state of constant distractedness.

Nicolas Carr, author of The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to our Brains, suggests that our brains are physically changing in this digital age. The manner in which the internet delivers content to us, Carr believes, is causing us to regress to a state in which focusing for a long period of time is becoming increasingly difficult. We tend to scan and skim web pages rather than read them in their entirety, and our growing habit of gathering information in this manner is effecting how our brains process information when we are not online.

Therefore, educators are faced with an ever-evolving challenge: how to cultivate a child’s ability to focus, concentrate and enjoy learning. Just as one must include a variety in the diet to ensure good health, one must challenge the mind using a variety of mediums so it can develop to its full potential. A board game can be an excellent asset in any classroom, as it challenges the mind differently than other methods of learning.

The board game is effective because it can engage the child in ways that other methods cannot. There is no other learning tool that can replicate the learning experience that emerges once a child opens the box and unfolds the game board. The face-to-face interaction with friends and classmates that occurs during the game play further enriches the learning experience.

The environment that is created is one that fosters characteristics of patience and discipline. Social skills are developed and the ability to plan a strategy is enhanced. Perhaps, unbeknownst to the child due to the level of fun they are having, they are learning. The good, friendly competition grasps their attention, and the child will be completely focused in a world of learning.

There are countless numbers of board games available today that teach subject matters ranging from history, to geography, to spelling and grammar, to math and science. They are created by designers who value the importance of fun in the learning process; some of these designers even have a background in education. Therefore, you can feel confident that these games are valuable, quality teaching resources.

Convinced to try a board game into your classroom? To help you get started I have a few recommendations below.

Papa Bear
By Playroom Entertainment
Recommended for ages 5+
What’s learned: Visual Perception, Color Recognition and Logical Skills
Details: Perception and prediction are developed, which will assist in building important logic skills. These skills are the essential building blocks of future education and understanding.  In this fast-paced game, Papa Bear’s son is continually changing his clothing, and he wants to predict what he will look like each time. This game will challenge children to predict outcomes all while having fun in this creative game!

Word on the Street Junior
By Out of the Box Games
Recommended for ages: 8+
What’s learned: Spelling and strategy
Details: This game encourages spelling and crafty vocabulary in order to win.  In the game, children take turns coming up with a word that matches a category they are given. They play a tug of war with letters, dragging them to their side of the street.  In the junior version, the entire alphabet is included in the game. However, the original version is great for middle school and high school students, as the level of difficulty is increased by removing the vowels.

Founding Fathers
By Jolly Roger Games
To be released this fall
Recommended for ages 12+
What’s learned: History, The U.S. Constitution
Details: In this game, students play the founding fathers of the constitution, positioning for votes to influence the final constitution that is created. Players are challenged with choices to increase their score and opportunities.  The game features direct articles of the constitution and factual biographies of every delegate that was involved, including what they contributed or prevented.

Wealth of Nations
By TableStar Games
Recommended for ages 12+
What’s learned: Economics
Details: Players are responsible for the growth of their nation through economic progress. In this game, students learn the way economies grow by the development of resources, trading, purchasing and selling.  The game fully explores demands of market and value on products and also involves principles of banking and debt accrual.  I am personally fond of the version two rules which offer even more depth into management of a nation’s wealth.

Melissa is part of the team at Chicagoland Games:Dice Dojo which is owned by her husband, Jon-Paul Nery and friend, Alex Dunning. When not playing a board game, Mel manages the shop's online presence and assists with community event planning. At her full-time gig, Mel is the Sr. Art Director for a large commercial airline. You can learn more about Chicagoland Games by visiting www.chicagolandgames.com.