Brain Exercise

Why all kids (and adults) should play games

Games are a fun way to practice executive functioning skills. They require planning ahead, working memory, visualization, problem solving, and breaking down big ideas into smaller parts. Here are some of the games I’ve been playing lately with some of my students:

-Jenga

-Jigsaw Puzzles

-Crossword Puzzles

-Memory

-Go Fish

-Chess

-Checkers

-Word Search

-Sudoku

-Trouble

The research shows that active brains are happier, more productive, and live longer. Staring at screens for 4 hours a day is NOT an active brain. Video games do NOT count.

We need to physically manipulate and exist in the same plane as the materials we use in a game.

So take 5 minutes today and have fun! You’re exercising your brain!

What other games do you love?!