| The Art of Playing - Tips for Parents | | | | them play even better. |
| We often think of games as mere amusement, when | | | | 5. Notice and recognise when your child plays more |
| in fact, games can also be a highly effective | | | | carefully, slowly and deliberately. Reward them for |
| educational tool as well. John Dewey, the founder of | | | | thinking first before acting. |
| modern educational theories, wrote in Democracy and | | | | 6. Chat with them about what they think of the traffic |
| Education " experience has shown that when children | | | | light method, do they feel they are playing better using |
| have a chance at physical activities which bring their | | | | it? |
| natural impulses into play, going to school is a joy, | | | | 7. Have a discussion about the benefits of thinking first |
| management is less of a burden and learning is easier" | | | | before acting. For example, ask your child how they |
| MindLab is a highly effective after school programme | | | | could use the traffic light method if another child |
| that uses board games to teach children thinking, | | | | pushed them in the playground. "What would red light |
| problem solving and social skills. In MindLab there is a | | | | be?" (They could answer, "red means to stop and |
| three step process to teaching children though games: | | | | study the situation") "How could you do that?" (They |
| 1. children learn a game 2. Children learn strategies to | | | | could answer - "look at the other child, are they smiling |
| improve their game playing and thinking ability. 3. The | | | | or frowning, gloating or crying, is there someone behind |
| children are encouraged to make connections | | | | them who pushed them? Is there something on the |
| between the strategies they have just learnt and | | | | ground that they could have tripped over?") "And what |
| experienced in the game, and situations in real life. | | | | is the orange light" (they could answer " Orange is to |
| As a parent, you can help your child develop their | | | | look at all my options - I could push them back, I could |
| thinking abilities at home through the art of playing | | | | ask them why they pushed me, I could tell them to not |
| games. Here are some ideas to help: | | | | do that again, I could get the teacher, I could run away |
| 1. Teach your child noughts and crosses, or even | | | | etc.") Encourage your child to understand that with |
| better, four in a row (readily available at most toy | | | | more information they have more options and the |
| stores) | | | | choice they take will be a better one (just like in the |
| 2. Play the game together, and after round or two ask | | | | game). By slowing down and thinking first, they have |
| your child if they want to learn a way to play even | | | | learnt that they will be smarter, in game playing and in |
| better | | | | life! |
| 3. Teach your child the traffic light method:a. Red - | | | | Happy playing! |
| means stop and pay attention to your surroundings - | | | | For more information or photos please contact: |
| really look at the game and study what may be | | | | Suri at MindLab on 01628 509021, or |
| happening, to you and your opponentb. Orange - get | | | | Note to Editors: |
| ready to go - look at every one of your options and | | | | The positive impact of MindLab on children's |
| decide which is the best move to take. For example, in | | | | development is supported by prestigious research |
| the game Connect Four, you can encourage your child | | | | which shows that children who follow a MindLab |
| to examine what would happen if they dropped their | | | | curriculum demonstrate a substantial and lasting |
| piece in each of the columns. Encourage your child to | | | | improvement in strategic reasoning and problem |
| choose the best move after studying each individual | | | | solving skills as well as standardised maths and verbal |
| column or option.c. Green - check your plan then go - | | | | reasoning tests. Over 1,000,000 students in 15 countries |
| encourage your child to take one last look to make | | | | internationally have benefited from the MindLab |
| sure they are making the best move, then take their | | | | programme. MindLab is a "green field" business |
| move. | | | | opportunity both in the UK, (currently there are 10 |
| 4. Now play the game with your child and encourage | | | | franchisees) and across Europe. |
| them try out the traffic light method to see if it helps | | | | |