Khaberni - Table games have always been a fun way to connect with family and friends on a quiet evening, and now a new study shows they may have long-term benefits for the brain.
Researchers at the University of Oregon conducted a comprehensive review analyzing 18 previous studies that looked at the impact of digital table games, based on numbers, on early math skills in children from preschool to second grade.
The results show a 76% probability that playing these games will improve arithmetic skills, especially when moving pieces on a straight numerical path (physical interaction with numbers during play (moving pieces over the numbers one after another on a straight line) improves math skills more than just seeing the numbers or counting mentally).
Gina Nelson, one of the report's authors, said: "We chose this topic because early math skills are a strong indicator of children's later success in school. The review shows that short play sessions using linear number board games can significantly improve counting skills, number recognition, and understanding of quantities."
It's not just children who benefit from these games; Natalie Mackenzie, a brain and cognition expert, explained that table games support attention spans, activate memory, and improve adult problem-solving skills as well. She added that the clear rules and "goal-directed enjoyable behaviors" provide a sense of achievement and contribute to social interaction.
Mackenzie clarified: "These games activate several brain regions at the same time. The frontal lobe cortex, responsible for planning and decision-making and impulse control, is activated, while the hippocampus is involved in remembering sequences and patterns. The games also provide multisensory inputs that include visual processing, spatial awareness, and physical movement, enhancing brain power over the long term."
Currently, researchers Dr. Nelson and Mara Sutherland are developing a collection of innovative number games and storybooks with stimulating questions for dialogue, to be used at home with parents of children aged three to five years with special needs. The team aims to integrate features from the best board games into a game specifically designed for their study, with different levels and optional challenges to suit the abilities of the children.
