A comprehensive analysis of research spanning the last 23 years shows that number-based board games like Monopoly, Othello, and Chutes and Ladders can significantly improve math skills in young children.
In this article, we'll discuss the research and provide you with a takeaway.
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Already recognized for their contribution to learning and development, including literacy, board games are now seen as instrumental in enhancing children's abilities in counting, addition, and number comparisons.
According to the study's lead author, Dr. Jaime Balladares, board games act as catalysts for mathematical learning in young children. He further advocates the use of board games as an effective strategy to bolster both basic and more complex math skills, suggesting that these games can be adapted to accommodate different learning goals, including those beyond mathematics.
Unlike games requiring specific abilities or betting, board games involve turn-taking and moving pieces on a board, with fixed rules guiding players' actions and the overall gameplay. Yet, board games are not frequently used in preschool settings, prompting the researchers to explore and collate evidence supporting their effects on children.
Related article: We've recently also discussed how fusing music and math can lead to better scores.
The study
The research team examined the extent of the impact of physical board games on fostering learning in young children, basing their conclusions on a review of 19 studies published since 2000 involving children aged three to nine. All but one study focused on the correlation between board games and mathematical skills.
In these studies, children engaged in specially designed board game sessions led by adults like teachers, therapists, or parents. These sessions took place typically twice a week, lasting 20 minutes over a period of about one-and-a-half months. Some studies involved grouping children into number-focused board games or games not primarily aimed at numeracy skills, while others involved varying types of number-based board games.
Children's math performance was assessed pre and post the intervention sessions designed to foster skills like vocal counting. The researchers gauged success across four categories: basic numeric competency, basic number comprehension, advanced number comprehension involving addition and subtraction, and interest in mathematics.
Related article: Mathematics is beautiful (no, really) - (Universal-Sci)
Interesting results
For some children, parents were trained in arithmetic, which they could then incorporate into the games. The study found that more than half (52%) of the tasks analyzed led to significant improvement in children's math skills post-intervention. Furthermore, in nearly a third (32%) of cases, children involved in the board game interventions outperformed those who were not.
However, the research team also found that board games targeting language or literacy skills, while in use, have not been scientifically evaluated for their impact on children. This underscores the urgency of designing and scientifically assessing board games to verify their effectiveness, which Dr. Balladares argues is a crucial task in the coming years.
The team is now planning to delve further into this project. Dr. Balladares concludes that future studies should aim to discover the potential impact of these games on other cognitive and developmental skills. The development and evaluation of board games present a promising avenue for exploration in the coming years, considering the intricate nature of games and the necessity to design increasingly effective educational games.
The takeaway
In conclusion, board games based on numbers have been shown to enhance math abilities in young children. They offer an engaging and interactive approach to learning, making them a valuable tool in educational settings.
As future studies explore the effects of board games on different skills, it is hoped that more effective and targeted games can be developed for educational purposes.
If you are interested in more details about the underlying study, be sure to check out the paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Early Years listed below this article.
Sources and further reading:
The effects of board games on math skills in children attending prekindergarten and kindergarten: A systematic review - (Early Years)
Communication skills are more important than math skills when it comes to learning to code - (Universal-Sci)
Can bees do maths? Yes – research shows they can add and subtract - (Universal-Sci)
Mathematics is beautiful (no, really) - (Universal-Sci)
Half a Century of Research Reveals that Fusing Music and Math Can Lead to better scores - (Universal-Sci)
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