Why Play Math Games?

Math games are fun! They allow players to practice the same kinds of skills that worksheets do, but without being boring or frustrating. There is no marking – the other players watch carefully to make sure the right answers are given. Repetition is the key to mastery, and in a game format there is an added incentive to remember the facts that you are practicing.

Playing math games requires players to self-regulate. Math games require working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control (don’t guess, listen to the instructions, check your answers). In fact when researchers are studying self-regulation they use math activities to measure it! Feeling competent, capable, and experiencing the pleasure in mastering a skill are all components of emotional well-being.

Each week, all RCG students will be playing the same game as homework on Tuesdays. We will present the games at several levels of mathematical development so that you can pick the one(s) that work for your family. Many of them require only cards and/or dice, so you can play them on nights other than Tuesdays, and they can easily be packed in a suitcase or backpack when families go away together.