As parents, we want the best for our kids. And that includes doing what’s right for their growing minds. We know that if we can provide them with sufficient brain food while they are young, it will pay dividends as they get older.
But what should we be doing, exactly?
Well, you’re about to find out. In this post, we take a look at some of the most popular brain training games for kids. Here’s everything you need to know:
Chess
Of course, coming in at number one has to be chess – the quintessential game for boffins and brainiacs. It requires a combination of skill and strategy to win and requires kids to understand multiple moves to vanquish their opponents.
The wonderful thing about chess is that it teaches reflexive thinking. Kids must learn how to plan their own moves, and how their choices depend on the intentions and moves of the other player.
Mahjong
Another eastern game is mahjong and it also requires talent and strategy. While it might be slightly simpler than chess, that makes it more accessible, meaning you can get kids started on it from an early age.
Even so, mahjong is surprisingly complicated and requires thorough thinking and strategies by those who enjoy it. It can take many months even to master the basics, so it’s the sort of game your kid can keep going back to.
Coding Games
You could also try your kid on coding games if you want them to become more computer-savvy. Getting them into code and how it works can help set them up for success in the future, perhaps enabling them to start their own company or get a high-flying career in a tech firm somewhere.
Logic Puzzles
Another option is to try them on logic puzzles. These are difficult when you first see them but can be enormously satisfying when completed.
The cool thing about logic puzzles is how they teach kids to learn in an effective way. If they can reason out puzzles fashioned by geeks, they’ll also be able to muddle through some of life’s more challenging situations, like when to buy stocks and how to trust a business partner.
The skill can also help at school. The more children can work things out for themselves from first principles, the more likely they are to thrive in exam situations, even when facing unfamiliar problems.
Memory Games
Finally, you could also try your child on memory games. These help to train their cognitive capacity and can help with numerous tasks, like remembering sequences of numbers or knowing instinctively how to put a long sentence together.
For example, most children can remember a sequence of five or six random numbers, repeating it back to the person saying it. However, the majority can’t get above 7 or 8. That’s much more challenging.
Fortunately, with a bit of training, kids can push about this level to even get to 10 or beyond.
Try out these games on your kids and let us know how it went.
