There’s nothing like a board game to bring the family together.
But games based on numbers – like Monopoly or Snakes and Ladders – can also help boost math ability in young children, research suggests.
Scientists have discovered that, for three to nine-year-olds, certain games can improve counting, addition and the ability to recognise if a number is higher or lower than another.
And this age group could benefit from the introduction of board game sessions a few times a week, they said.
The team, from Pontificia Universidad Católica in Chile, reviewed 19 different studies from the year 2000 onwards involving children aged three to nine.
There’s nothing like a board game to bring the family together. But games based on numbers – like Monopoly or Snakes and Ladders – can also help boost math ability in young children, research suggests (stock image)
All children participating in the studies received special board game sessions which two place twice a week for 20 minutes over one-and-a-half months.
They were assessed on their math performance before and after the sessions, which were designed to encourage skills such as counting out loud.
Results, published in the journal Early Years, revealed math skills improved significantly after the sessions among children for more than half of the math tasks analysed.
And in nearly a third of cases, children in the board game intervention groups gained better math results than those who did not take part in the sessions.
Lead author Dr Jaime Balladares said: ‘Board games enhance mathematical abilities for young children.
Scientists have discovered that, for three to nine-year-olds, certain games can improve counting, addition and the ability to recognise if a number is higher or lower than another (stock image)
‘Using board games can be considered a strategy with potential effects on basic and complex math skills.
‘Further studies should be designed to explore the effects that these games could have on other cognitive and developmental skills.’
A separate study, released last week, found combining music and maths could also lead to higher scores – especially for younger students learning arithmetic.
Analysis of almost 50 years’ worth of research into the topic found children do better at maths when music is a key part of their lessons.
This could be because it makes the subject more enjoyable, keeps students engaged and helps ease any fear or anxiety they have, researchers said.
