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Games can be a great homeschooling tool. Learn how to give yourself permission to play.
Some days I look at our homeschool schedule, and I can't bear to do it. I think, if I have to teach a math lesson today or come up with one more creative project, I will scream. Everyone needs a break now and then. So, what is one good way to teach skills without having to actually teach? Play games! Games are great for a variety of skills, from math, to spelling, to learning facts, to practicing how to be a good sport. We try to intersperse games into our regular homeschool schedule, but sometimes they just feel frivolous. In actuality, they let us learn and hone important skills in a very non-threatening way. Monopoly is one of the perennial favorites. Our children play it for hours, and it teaches them so many skills. We also like Life, although we like it much better when we land on one of the spaces that let us become a profession that earns the big bucks! Yatzhee was a game my oldest son was given for his last birthday, and it is wonderful for math skills. We have board games for geography (Which Way, USA), for spelling/word play (Scrabble), and fun facts (Trivial Pursuit, Junior). One of our current favorites is the Neopets: Adventures in Neopia board game. We usually change the goal from earning 5000 points to 2000 or 3000 (short attention spans!). We are also currently very into card games. Uno is a game even the four year old plays (and whips us on), Skip-Bo is a good family game. This morning we have spent much time on Phase 10, a more challenging card game. You probably have some of these games, and some of the hundreds of other games that exist. They are one of our great tools for developing skills. Games are often relatively inexpensive, so plan on buying a new one every so often. Ask other families what games they play, and try some of those out. Plan a game swap with friends in order to try a game before you buy. The point is, whatever games you have, use them. Most of all, learn and have fun!
The copyright of the article Homeschooling and Games in Homeschooling is owned by Christine Alcott. Permission to republish Homeschooling and Games in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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