The Research Behind The FUN

board games helped increase students’ motivation for learning and even lead to positive changes in behavior (Noda, Shirotsuki, and Nakao 2019)

Board games present opportunities for developing skills in a wide variety of domains of learning in young children. More broadly, they can promote “learning how to learn” (Krishnan 2019; All Aboard Games n.d.).

 games that involve multiple players “inherently offer opportunities for social interactions and practice in turn taking, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution, and empathy” Hassinger-Das et al. (2017)

1. Cognitive Development

  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Board games often require players to strategize and think critically, which can enhance cognitive skills.

  • Memory and Attention: Games that require remembering rules or tracking opponents' moves can improve memory and attention spans.

Board game interventions have been researched in various educational and therapeutic contexts - for their potential to enhance learning, social skills, and cognitive development.

Here are some key findings and areas of focus:

2. Social Skills

  • Communication: Playing board games can foster communication skills as players discuss strategies and negotiate rules.

  • Teamwork and Collaboration: Many board games involve teamwork, helping players learn to work together and understand group dynamics.

4. Academic Skills

  • Math and Literacy: Certain board games can reinforce math skills (e.g., counting, probability) and literacy skills (e.g., reading instructions, storytelling).

  • Engagement: Games can increase student engagement and motivation, making learning more enjoyable

  • Integration into Curriculum: Teachers can integrate board games into lessons to reinforce concepts in a fun and engaging way.

  • Differentiation: Board games can cater to different learning styles and abilities, allowing for differentiated instruction.

3. Emotional Skills

  • Emotional Regulation: Games can provide a safe space for players to experience winning and losing, helping them learn emotional regulation and resilience.

  • Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Players often need to consider others’ perspectives, which can enhance empathy.

5. Therapeutic Applications

  • Social Skills Training: Board games are used in therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders or social anxiety to practice social interactions.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Some therapists incorporate games to help clients visualize scenarios and practice coping strategies.

7. Research Studies

  • Various studies have shown positive outcomes from board game interventions, particularly in improving social skills, cognitive abilities, and academic performance.

  • Research indicates that structured game play can lead to significant improvements in both individual and group dynamics in educational settings.

Conclusion

Board game interventions have shown promise in enhancing a range of skills in educational and therapeutic contexts. By leveraging the engaging nature of games, educators and therapists can create effective learning and development opportunities.