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When kids play with older role models, they can learn something as well: How to win—and lose—with grace and good manners (Gobet et al 2004).
Some board games reward logical reasoning; however, we can’t assume that playing board games will make kids better students.
Studies suggest that good chess players are better at recognizing and remembering certain configurations of chess pieces. But chess experts aren’t necessarily any better at recognizing patterns in other contexts (Gobet and Campitelli 2006).
And while chess players tend to be more intelligent than non-chess players, the correlation may reflect self-selection: Smarter people may be more likely to play chess (Gobet and Campitelli 2006).
But we can still say that some board game skills have translated into academic skills. Why aren’t the effects more obvious and consistent?
The reported links between board game practice and real-life skills reflect statistical flukes.
For example, a successful game player must learn to control his impulses, follow the rules, reflect, and teach problem solving so it can be easily applied in school behaviors and academic tasks that require focus and self-control.
So, board games can be considered as a more powerful learning tool that can be strengthened like a muscle: with practice and learning, we can help kids if we encourage them to explain their tactics or the tactics they see others use.
Dr. Riad Moubarak
Paediatrcian
