Games Galore!
What are your favorite games to play? Do you love board games like Monopoly, Candyland, Sorry, or do you prefer moving in Twister? Are you a card shark with Poker or the beloved Go Fish? Are you a Lego or Magna-tiles gamer that enjoys creative flow or do you simply love a classic game of Tag or the level 2 version of Zombie Tag? Do you prefer to make up games or role-play? Whatever your top choice game, hone in on the feeling you have when playing. What word best describes your feeling? Say this feeling out loud right now. This feeling is the main reason why at Acton we play games CONSTANTLY!
It’s simple, games are tools for learning. Games allow learners (and adults too) to practice sportsmanship, teamwork, strategy, critical thinking, language, math skills, deduction, attention, and to explore investment in process. For our youngest learners the process of setting up a game with attention to detail and kind hands is the first step. Then playing the game and staying within the rules, the limits of the game is tough. Finally, the hardest lesson of all comes when the game is over. Being a good sport is hard when learners lose and sometimes winning graciously can be just as difficult. Regardless of the outcome we invite learners to shake hands, share kind words, and invoke the Acton growth mindset of “next time.”
At Acton, games are our best tool to hone and stretch a learner’s development of life skills. Every game may be different but over these last few years of tinkering at Acton I’ve deduced games into a simple formula. Every game has 1. A name (best if it has an alliteration or a fun gesture to match) 2. Rules of what is ok and not ok and how to play 3. A defined beginning and ending 4. A goal/purpose of the game.
Creating a game takes learning to another level. Creativity inspires and complexity of rules stretch. During yesterday’s Detective Quest Exhibition did you realize that it all was a game? Learners in each studio stepped into the shoes of author Sir Conan Doyle as they crafted a game of mystery. The rules? Stay in the room to explore each detective learning station, examine evidence, question suspects, and then vote for the criminal. How did you win? You solved the mystery and found the criminal!
Why do we dive in to games so heavily at Acton? Games teach the framework of rules, staying within limits, effort, sportsmanship, camaraderie, teamwork, and so so much more. Plus, games bind people with a shared experience. Bonding in play strengthens a group of people, strengthens the connection of a community. Are you looking to strengthen your family’s bond? Try gaming at home this next week on your week off. Here’s the advice of one game we play at Acton that I’ve suggested to numerous parents during recent Spring conferences.
Name: Chit Chat Would You Rather or Chit Chat What If
Purpose: To practice social cues, interrupting, and conversation skills.
Rules/How To Play: Sit in a circle with a small group of people (a family of 3 or more works great). Pose the topic question. Anyone can speak however if you talk at the same time or if you interrupt another person you are out for that topic round. (We ask learners to scoot back from the circle)
How to Win: Share your ideas without interrupting, stay in the circle every round!
If this Chit-Chat game goes over well with your family try Level 2 which focuses on staying on topic (off topic you are out) and then Level 3 which challenges everyone to share with brevity, one sentence only! Eeeek!
Join our Guide team and your growing learner by diving into the role of Game-Maker! Whatever game you love, share that playful feeling with your child and invest in the process of play at home!
GAME ON!