Just when we thought being a mom could not get any harder, it has. Many moms have been thrust into the role of teacher when homeschooling was never their desire. For older kids who are computer savvy, much of their learning can be accomplished online. But what about teaching the younger children?  Rather than stress over lesson plans and trying to figure out which educational materials to order for preschoolers and kindergarteners, spend some quality time playing games with your children. Here are a few suggestions:

• Candyland–A simple board game that teaches colors and sequence. My twin grandsons are bilingual so when they pick a card, we say the color in Spanish and English.
• Sorry–This game will help children identify numbers and colors, and reinforce counting.
• UNO — A card game that teaches colors and numbers.
• Junior Scrabble–For children who are learning to spell, this game involves spelling words, strategy, and will help build a child’s vocabulary.
• Dominos–A set of tiles with dots representing numbers can keep kids occupied for hours as they match tiles end to end. My grandkids like matching the tiles to make train tracks.
• Memory–A set of cardboard squares that you place face down and turn over one at a time to find the match. This stimulates cognitive activity and is fun for all ages. There’s a wide variety of themed sets, from animals and Disney characters, to shapes and Bible characters. Our Daily Bread for Kids has a set of Bible characters that my grandkids love. One of the pictures is of Jesus and my granddaughter always wants that match.

Of course, there are many more games that will entertain children while helping them learn their colors, numbers, and letters. These are just a few examples of classic games that have stood the test of time, and will offer a fun learning experience for both mother and child.

What other learning games can you recommend for parents with young children?

Crystal