Games! Even before kids, we were huge fans of strategy games. Aside from books, Board Games are what take up most of our shelf and closet space!
Here are 5 reasons to add strategy games to your homeschool:
1. Connection through strategy games
It’s really hard to switch between being the homeschooling leader and just being Mom. My kids really enjoy board games and even know how to play a few that I don’t. They might not want to sit down for a cup of tea and chat about feelings, but they are always up for playing a board game.
Bonus points if they teach you a new game! It gives them confidence by putting them in the leader role. Futhermore, there is so much synthesis and skill happening in that whole process.
2. Games can teach strategy and spatial reasoning
Move over, Monopoly! I’m very fond of the games I grew up with as a kid, but let’s be honest… there wasn’t much strategy in rolling the dice, moving, and doing whatever the square said.
There is a whole new world of strategy board games out there! When American companies began to pick up these German titles, I shopped mainly for the winners and runner-ups on the “Spiel des Jahres” (Game of the Year) award list. Nowadays, there are many board gaming awards, so it’s pretty safe to pick games that have won any variety of awards.
3. Strategy Games can give kids a purpose for Reading and Math Lessons
If you stop to think about it, it’s tedious for kids to learn all these subjects just because we say so. Show them a use for their reading and math, and you’ll have more willing learners when it’s lesson time!
Of course, this depends on the game. Not all the games involve reading or very much math.
Caution: don’t push too hard. I remember playing “Ticket to Ride” with kids who were just learning to add, and at some point, they just got TIRED of adding up points. “Stop making me do math, Mom!”
It’s totally okay to tally up points by just moving that counter 6 spaces. it doesn’t always have to be, “Now, what is 57 plus 6?”
But on the flip side, Mom could totally be the one to do the mental math aloud, “57 plus 6… Well, 57 plus 3 gets me to 60…and 3 more is 63.” It’s good to model that learning!
4. Strategy Games help with a Growth Mindset
Games give us an opportunity to help kids be okay with losing. (So hard! Nobody like to lose!) Win or lose, the outcome gives us a chance to praise their effort.
A good strategy game usually has multiple ways to win. Sometimes, I even talk over the strategy with my kids. If your child is up for it, discuss which player’s strategy worked the best and why. Make statements about how you might change your strategy for the next time.
5. Games can Supplement Cultural Studies
My favorite games are the ones with a geography theme. There’s usually a short paragraph on the box or at the beginning of the directions to set the scene and tone of the game. Are you a tile layer in medieval Portugal, as in the game Azul? Or are you a traveler on the legendary East Sea Road in the game Tokaido?
Our most recent stack of board games support our Ancient Studies
I put together a free Game Guide of 50+ Geography-themed Games! Grab it below: