Board Game Rules Blog

Board games plus children add up to a winning equation. Research has determined that number board games can increase a child’s ability to learn necessary math facts that enable them to get a solid head start in this vital subject. Preschoolers who played a board game with a spinner for 20-minute sessions over a two-week period demonstrated a greater capability to count, identify numbers and conceptualize the value of those numbers.

Educators and parents are recognizing the importance of using games to teach key facts to young children. There are many fun and exciting games to choose from, and this quick overview of some of the more popular ones can help in the selection process.

Chutes and Ladders is perhaps the best known of the bunch and has brought a lot of laughter and learning to children. Recommended for children ages 4-7, this action-packed game uses a spinner to advance. No reading is required, although the players will be introduced to simple counting.

Tip Top Tally Game made by Purple Pebble Games is geared for ages 4 and over. Friendly penguin characters lead players across the board, while trying to avoid the Slippery Slide and Icy Icicle. Children will use math concepts to add and subtract the numbers on the dice. The game is competitive enough to keep the interest of the players while encouraging them to use numbers.

Math Animals Game, by Aristoplay, is recommended for ages 5 and over. The very colorful game board and the animal playing pieces raises the interest level. Players roll the dice and move around the board in an effort to land on the animal that represents the highest number. Math skills like addition, subtraction and multiplication are introduced.

Totally Tut Board Game from Learning Resources is best played by children 6 years and older. Players move through rows of pyramids by using number and operation triangles to solve math problems. Basic math skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are used. Children must also guard against their opponents which also introduces strategic thinking.

Head Full of Numbers Game is also created by Learning Resources and the recommended age is 7 and older. This fast-paced math games involves dice and a race against the clock. Players roll the dice and have to create math equations using those numbers. There is a high level of competition involved which provides an exciting encouragement to develop math skills.

Counting and Numbers Quizmo by World Class Materials can be used by children ages 3-8. Young players will be introduced to a variety of game experiences to help them associate the numbers one through ten with both their names and their values. To conceptualize the value of these numbers, the game uses concrete and abstract methods which significantly improves the child’s ability to understand the meaning of these numerals.

Sum Swamp Math Board Game is produced by Learning Resources and is best played by children ages 5 to 7. Players journey through the swamp by adding and subtracting the numbers rolled on the dice. The Crocodile Short Cut and the Endless Loop add a level of danger and excitement and keep the players’ interest.

Conceptual Money Bingo Game uses math skills to recognize the value of money in dollars and cents. Addition, subtraction, counting and story problems help players understand the concepts of money in a fun and meaningful way. The game is recommended for children over 5 years old.

Smath Board Game, for players 6 and up definitely makes math fun. This crossword puzzle type game uses numbers in a clever way, while encouraging children to succeed with bonus point squares. The players start with what they know about math, and easily add to that knowledge as they go along.

Hi Ho! Cherry-O Board Game is for younger children, ages 3 to 6, and this time-tested game introduces and reinforces counting. No reading is required and children have been enjoying this game for over 30 years.

Sandy Naidu
http://www.articlesbase.com/k-12-education-articles/10-board-games-which-can-make-learning-maths-fun-725534.html

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Chess is probably one of the oldest and most famous games in the world. It is believed to have originated from India as early as the seventh century, although the exact origins of chess are unknown. Chess has appeared in many shapes and forms. Today most people play what is known as Europeans chess. Chess is a universal game – universal in the sense that it is accepted and played in every country and culture. There are many tournaments held worldwide and many more in each individual country.

The basic rules of chess are simple, however to be able to play strategically and master tactics requires skill and dedication. In its modern form the game consists of an eight by eight board of alternating black and white squares and chess pieces. Each player has sixteen different pieces, which are used to play the game with. A player starts off with a king, a queen, eight pawns, and two each of bishops, knights and rooks. The aim of the game is to corner and immobilize the opponent’s king so he cannot make any further moves.

Modern chess is also known as the ‘queens chess’ as the queen is the piece with the most power. It can move any number of squares in any direction, given there is enough space to maneuver. All pieces move in straight or diagonal lines with the exception of knights. A knight’s movements are similar to the shape of the letter ‘L’. When the opponent’s king piece has been immobilized it is known as “checkmate”.

Chess has many benefits and it is now being taught in many schools over the world to children from a young age. It has many academic benefits and improves ones ability and skill. Chess improves a child’s thinking ability by teaching many skills. These include the ability to focus, plan tasks ahead, thinking analytically, abstractly and strategically and consider all the options before making a move. They also improve one’s social and communication skills by playing against another human player. Research has shown that kids that play chess regularly have a significant improvement in their math and reading ability.

Nowadays chess can be played pretty much anywhere. All you need is the board and pieces and somebody to play against. If you cannot find another person to challenge then there are plenty of computerized versions of chess. The software comes in many different versions such as 2D or 3D and with nice animated effects or just as a plain board and pieces. It is possible to play against a computer player and up the difficulty level if required. With the advent of the Internet it is now easily possible to search for many other players online whom to play against.

Garry Kasparov is one of the world’s most famous chess players. He is a chess grandmaster and one of the strongest chess players in history. He has the highest ranking on the FIDE listing. Ranked first in the world for nearly all of the 20 years from 1985 to 2005, Kasparov was the last undisputed World Chess Champion from 1985 until 1993; and continued to be “classical” World Chess Champion until his defeat by Vladimir Kramnik in 2000.

In February 1996, IBM’s chess computer Deep Blue defeated Kasparov in one game using normal time controls, in Deep Blue – Kasparov, 1996, Game 1. However, Kasparov retorted with 3 wins and 2 draws, soundly winning the match. In May 1997, an updated version of Deep Blue defeated Kasparov in a highly publicized six-game match. This was the first time a computer had ever defeated a world champion in match play. An award-winning documentary film was made about this famous match up entitled Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine.

Dave Markel

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