The Benefits of Playing Games  

Playing is a child’s most important occupation. The occupation of play is a fun, engaging, and natural way to promote skill development for daily self-care tasks, school-based tasks, and many other day-to-day activities. Simply put, children learn through play. Finding games that are motivating and engaging for your child allows your child to maximize their skill development – and it is just more fun!

Why Do We Play Games?

Games provide more than entertainment. Playing games can address fine motor skills, gross motor skills, coordination, emotional control, and motor planning skills. Strengthened executive functioning is one of the many benefits of playing games. Executive functions are crucial for success in both school and life, and many of these skills are developed and refined through play. Here’s how specifically playing games contributes to various aspects of executive functioning:

Playing Games Develops Self-Control

What it is: The ability to control impulses and refrain from acting on immediate desires or reactions.

How games help: Many games require children to wait for their turn, follow rules, or resist the urge to act impulsively (like jumping ahead in a board game or interrupting during a conversation). These moments help children develop self-control.

Example: In games like “Monopoly” or “Sorry!”, players must resist the urge to take an action that’s tempting (such as moving out of turn or using a card at the wrong time), teaching self-regulation.

Strengthens Working Memory

What it is: The ability to hold and use information in the mind over short periods.

How games help: Many games require players to remember previous moves, cards, rules, or strategies. This strengthens working memory by forcing children to keep track of multiple pieces of information at once.

Example: In “Memory” (a card-matching game), players must remember where specific cards are located, testing and enhancing their short-term memory.

Enhances Cognitive Flexibility

What it is: The ability to switch between different tasks, thoughts, or perspectives and adapt to new situations.

How games help: Games often require players to change their strategy or approach based on changing rules, new information, or unexpected outcomes. This helps children become more flexible in their thinking.

Example: In “Scrabble”, children may start with one word but then need to adjust their strategy as they add letters or change their word placements to maximize their points. This teaches them to adapt when necessary.

Improves Decision Making

What it is: The ability to make informed choices based on available information, weighing the potential consequences.

How games help: Many games require players to make decisions with both short-term and long-term implications. The decisions children make during games help them practice analyzing outcomes and evaluating risks.

Example: “Go Fish” requires children to decide which cards to ask for and what information to share with others.

Related Reading: Signs Your Child Might Need Occupational Therapy

How to Maximize the Benefits of Playing Games

Let children know the importance of staying focused, taking turns, and following rules during game time. Selecting games that challenge executive functioning based on your child’s age and ability level allows your child to be challenged but still find success and enjoyment from the experience. Show your child how to regulate their emotions, plan, and make decisions thoughtfully while playing, and praise your child for demonstrating self-control, good planning, or a well-thought-out strategy.

Playing games together creates opportunities for bonding and spending meaningful time with each other, away from distractions like phones or TV. These moments of shared joy or even mild frustration create lasting memories that both you and your child can look back on. By playing games with your children, you’re not just entertaining them; you’re providing valuable opportunities for learning, growth, and connection that will benefit them in the long run.

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