Great Games for Boosting Kids’ Brain Power

CEBU, Philippines - Chances are, ever since their children were babies, parents have tried to surround them with positive learning experiences. Now that the kids are older – and free time is a scarce – it only makes sense that parents like some of that “down time” to be spent in the kids’ brain-enriching activities.

The good news is that kids can boost their brain capacity while having fun. The trick is to find something that will challenge them – and that they enjoy doing.

Alvaro Fernandez, M.B.A., M.Ed., and CEO and co-founder of SharpBrains, an online organization that provides information on brain fitness, stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology has allowed scientists to study live brains for the first time in history. Their research has found that brains are “plastic,” meaning they can create new neurons and change their structure. This is especially true of the frontal lobe, which controls the human ability to pay attention, plan ahead and direct behavior toward achieving a goal – all skills that parents want their children to develop.

Fernandez says that the four pillars of brain health are physical exercise, a balanced diet, stress management and brain exercise. He says that the three factors that make for good brain exercise are novelty, variety and challenge. “If something is new, it’s good. In general, things are good as long as they keep being challenging,” says Fernandez. “If the child is learning new strategies, enjoying the game, it’s good. If it becomes boring, it’s not having any benefit. What matters is how the child is motivated.”

That advice is echoed by D’Arcy Lyness, a practicing psychologist and editor for kidshealth.org. Lyness explains that different games promote different skills. Some focus more on memory, others on problem solving; brain teasers help develop creativity and mental flexibility. Lyness advises putting together a wide range of brain games and activities “so kids can tone all their mental muscles.”

Here are some brain games that are known to help boost learning ability:

Chess is an obvious choice, with school districts all over the world integrating the brain game into their curriculums. It has been used in Russian schools for more than 40 years as a means to increase students’ problem-solving and reasoning skills. Research conducted in the ‘70s and ‘80s found that chess players develop complex and efficient structures for memory storage and management.

On Frank Ho’s Math and Chess website, an article by Marcel Milat states that the American Chess Foundation’s Chess in Schools program was responsible for a 17.3 percent increase in math test scores for participating students in New York’s Harlem School District — compared with only 4.6 percent for those participating in other enrichment programs.

Sudoku is a popular logic puzzle game that is played solo, so it’s great for travel or waiting rooms. Though it uses numbers, sudoku is not about mathematics. Instead it requires logic, memory and concentration. Can these skills boost a child’s learning ability? According to Associated Content, “Great Britain’s government has recommended sudoku puzzles be used in the classroom as brain exercises.” The brain game is available in a variety of skill levels from easy to very difficult and is available in book form, electronic hand-held units and, of course, online. Many newspapers print a daily sudoku puzzle alongside the crossword puzzle. Here in The Freeman, it is found in the Lifestyle section.

Crossword puzzles, word jumbles and word searches are also easily available, inexpensive brain game choices for the solo player. Just remember Fernandez’s three guides of novelty, variety and challenge.

Board games are a great way to involve the whole family in brain-building activities. Be sure to choose games that require players to use strategy to determine the outcome, rather than just rely on the roll of the dice. Games like Scrabble, Clue, and 20 Questions are better choices than games like Candy Land or even Monopoly. The Family Fun website quotes Marilee Sprenger, an educational neuroscience consultant, on the benefit of brain games for more than one player: “The brain is social, and research shows that working cooperatively boosts learning.”

There’s been a lot of talk about electronic games that claim to “build the brain,” especially Brain Age for the Nintendo DS. Unfortunately, most of the research that has been done applies to older people trying to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. SharpBrains’ Fernandez points out that the claims have not been scientifically proven, but considers this particular brain game a good option for children who prefer an electronic game because “it is safe and nonviolent.”

Digital games that increase in difficulty as the player masters a level are the best choice to keep those neurons expanding.

Brain games, however, are not the only end to building brains. Remember, anything that is challenging to the child will have a positive effect.

Academic types can learn a new language. There are some great online sources for free or inexpensive study guides, and many elementary schools now offer foreign languages as part of their curriculum.

Young athletes can try a new sport. Little soccer players must be encouraged to join a basketball team in summer or sign up for tennis lessons. Football players can take a dance class. Ballet dancers can try swimming.

Homebodies can investigate various crafts such as knitting, crochet or sewing. Some stores offer a variety of classes on everything from sewing to jewelry-making to scrapbooking and even cake decorating.

The point is to mix it up and try something new every so often. The novelty will keep those neurons growing and enrich the kids’ mind with new experiences, and, perhaps, set a pattern they will continue throughout their lives. The old credo holds true for the brain, as with any muscle: “Use it or lose it.” (www.parentmap.com) (FREEMAN)