Popular playground games like “Simon Says
,” “Mother May I,” and “Red Light, Green Light” are more than just a way to pass the time and act silly. They expose children to a number of invaluable life lessons that are essential for your child’s development. When playing these games, children are challenged and rewarded for paying attention, following directions and controlling their impulses.
In addition to learning to control their behavior, children are also demonstrating problem solving strategies such as generating and experimenting with new ideas for winning the game. For example, a child playing “Mother May I” may try asking “Mother May I do 5 ballerina turns?” rather than “8 baby steps” to advance in the game. They also may have learned to slow down and be able to stop moving quickly if the caller in “Red Light, Green Light” has not shouted “Red light!” for a long time.
These games also require children to think creatively to keep the game fun and exciting. Imagine if during an entire game of “Simon Says” the caller only yelled out “Simon says pat your head,” most children would grow bored rather quickly. These games give children an opportunity to be creative and come up with new ideas to keep themselves entertained.
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These classic playground games are a great way for your child to practice skills necessary for their development while playing! Moreover, these games can be played virtually anywhere and by children and adults of all ages, making them a convenient and enjoyable way to play as a family.
What are some of the games you and your children like to play together?