Deck The Cards

Between school, work, and the myriad of extracurriculars families juggle, it can be challenging to find time just to be together and connect. Playing card games as a family is a fun, simple way to carve out quality time. And although card games seem simple and can be played almost anywhere, they encourage the development of important social and cognitive skills in children.

Instead of rushing to do the dishes after dinner, when everyone is still gathered in the same place, grab a deck and enjoy an impromptu family game night.

Why Card Games?

When children play strategy-based games, like most card games, they learn valuable social skills, including the importance of winning and losing gracefully, taking turns, and following the rules. For young children, card games are easy to follow but great tools for fostering critical thinking skills. Children learn how to think ahead and be strategic during gameplay while also learning other cognitive skills like pattern recognition, memorization and matching.

For children still learning basic skills, card games are great visual tools for teaching kids about numbers and counting. While fast-paced games like “Speed” helps to improve fine motor skills and reflexes, games like “match” help kids utilize their memory.

Playing card games is also a great way to build your child’s emotional intelligence. Games in which facial expressions are involved, such as a game of “Cheat,” teach children the importance of paying attention to body language and emotional reactions. Encourage kids to look out for physical cues by asking simple questions, like “Did your opponent have a smile on their face when they picked up a new card or did they look more disappointed? Or were they making those faces to throw you off completely?”

Small, inexpensive and versatile, a deck of cards can transform a bland night into a memorable family tradition. And with so many card games out there, there is sure to be a game or two suitable for you and your family.

MASK the Parenting Magazine a quarterly publication providing solutions for Today’s Families.

The parenting manual offering solutions to the modern-day challenges families face. From Pre-K

through College stay up to date on the modern day issues families face.

Are you up to date on the issues your child is facing?

MASK Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids offers parenting solutions for today’s families. MASK tackles important topics – from drugs and alcohol to bullying and Internet safety -and gives students, parents and the community the knowledge and tools to manage these potential challenges.