Research suggests that preschoolers can benefit from playing games that not only focus on building academic skills, but that also emphasize social development. A study led by Dr. Karen Bierman, professor of psychology at Penn State University, found that preschoolers who are taught lessons about sharing and listening tend to score higher in both social and academic readiness for school. Findings of the study were published in the November/December 2008 issue of the journal "Child Development."
Nutrition Games
Nutrition games provide an enjoyable way to teach younger children about healthy eating. Create your own games when you are in the kitchen or at the supermarket. Give your child a color she needs to look for while grocery shopping. For instance, instruct her to find something that's the color green when you are in the produce section. This is a simple game that teaches children to identify colors and select healthy foods for the cart at the same time. Children can also make their own unique food crafts using fruits and vegetables, advises the website AskDrSears.com from University of California, Irvine, pediatrician Bill Sears.
I Spy
I Spy is a game that requires one child to spot an object and then provide descriptive terms so that the other players can guess what the object is. This game helps children learn about colors, shapes, sizes and textures, notes The Parenting Magazine website. One example is if a player sees a purple flower in the yard, he then tells the other players that he spies something purple. Children can play many different versions of the game, giving different clues that teach opposites and vocabulary words. A child can say that he spies something that is not small or spies something that starts with the same sound as cat.
Card Games
Card games can provide hours of enjoyment for preschool-aged children. Some of the most educational card games are those that involve matching. Children must match pairs, numbers or colors. These kinds of card games teach children about numbers, colors, letters or whatever other objects are on the cards. Classic children's card games include "Go Fish" and "Old Maid." Card games are also a useful way to teach children about following instructions and rules, reports Family Education.
Board Games
Traditional board games like Monopoly Junior, Sorry, Chutes and Ladder and Candy Land are educational for children, as they help them learn to focus their attention, says Family Education. These games teach children how to follow simple instructions and rules. Besides learning how to count and take turns, kids learn other essential life skills, including social skills, like how to interact with others.
Old School Games
"Old School" games such as Simon Says and Red Light/Green Light also provide fun ways for children to learn. Kids learn to pay attention and listen carefully when playing these games. It doesn't take children long to realize that they can lose the game if they don't pay attention. Games like these teach children how to take turns, as well. Children take turns being Simon or calling out the color of the traffic lights.
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