I post simple, sometimes ridiculously obvious, activities on this blog. And the reason behind that is that sometimes adults forget that simple is often best or we forget the little games or toys we made up as children, lost in the fog we see childhood through. (For example, hand-print turkeys or ghost lollipops - classics!)
This game certainly follows this pattern. But where as a kid I would just think about "Was it fun?", as a parent I also look at it as "Look at all they learn from this!"
This game certainly follows this pattern. But where as a kid I would just think about "Was it fun?", as a parent I also look at it as "Look at all they learn from this!"
You've probably played this game. It's quick and easy and great for those on-the-go times when you need something to occupy a squirmy little one (or even bigger one!). But the bonus comes in that it's also a great pre-writing skill, fine motor practice, counting, and even letter practice. (See? So much learning!)
It's the game where you draw dots on a paper, each player draws one line, vertical or horizontal, and if you make a square you put your initial in that square. Whoever has the most squares at the end, wins. Wikipedia (that purveyor of endless knowledge) calls it Dots and Boxes, Square-It, Pigs in a Pen. I call it the square game.
I wouldn't have even mentioned it, except that I was reading Heather Gruetman's new ebook, and there is a whole chapter on the importance of drawing lines as a pre-writing skill. What a perfect way to practice! (Oh, and check out the book too. Heather has so many fun ideas for working on pre-writing skills, all those things kids need to know before they're ready to write!)
