10 MAGNIFICENT GAMES TO PRACTICE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS WITH KIDS

What was your favorite game to play as a kid? For me, it was Monopoly and Sorry. My family and I played these games all the time!  My grandma taught me to play Gin Rummy and we would sit at her kitchen table and play for hours!  Are you looking for a game to play with your mentee?  Here are some fabulous ideas!

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Janine Halloran says “Part of why I wanted to be a therapist who works with kids is that it meant I got to play games for a living. It’s a great way to connect and learn about everyone who is playing. Plus it creates natural teachable moments to work on social skills.

10 MAGNIFICENT GAMES TO PRACTICE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS WITH KIDS

Hedbanz

You pick a card, put it in your headband, and then ask the other people playing with you yes or no questions to try and figure out what you are. You have to think of the kinds of questions you need to ask to get you closer to your answer. This is a wonderful game to work on perspective taking and communicating. Plus it can be hilarious!

A Penny for Your Thoughts

If you're looking for something a little bit more focused on social-emotional strengths and helping kids cope with challenges, then try A Penny for Your Thoughts. This is a great way to generate conversations about different situations that make kids have big feelings. It's also a great way to talk about coping skills and how to manage emotions in a safe and healthy way.

Q's Race to The Top

This is a great game to not only to start conversations but also to get kids moving as well. I love the interactive physical activities in this game because it can help those kids who can't sit still for too long want to continue to play the game. I wrote a whole review on this game here.

PeaceMakers

If you're looking for something that's more focused on mindfulness and helping kids learn about themselves, then PeaceMakers is a good game for you. The prompts on the cards can help kids become aware of what's going on inside of them and what's going on around them in the world.  It can also generate some interesting conversations. I've pulled out just one card and started a conversation with my kids that was fascinating and helped me learn more about them. What a great way to connect with others!

Qwirkle

A fun game where you are creating patterns out of colors or different shapes. We've made some massive boards with this game, and it was a lot of fun. It helps kids practice thinking flexibly because you can either match based on color or pattern - which one you choose can change with each turn.

Listmania

I got this game from Peaceable Kingdom, and it has been one of my go-to games since that time. It’s a cooperative game where you work together and have fun. My family and I played it for two weeks straight at every meal time. There are so many questions that will make you laugh or groan or chuckle. Plus it’s easy to learn, and you can play anywhere. There’s no board, just cards that give you directions for how to play.

 It’s super simple but lots of fun and perfect for a game to bring on the go.
 

Cauldron Quest

Another Peaceable Kingdom game that is a favorite of mine. You work together to get all the ingredients in The Cauldron before you get caught by spells. It's pretty easy to figure out the rules, and you work together to win the game as a whole group.

Story Cubes

This game encourages creativity, flexible thinking and working together to create a story using nine cubes with different images. This game is excellent for small groups!

Apples to Apples Junior

This is another game that is so much fun but also works on taking someone else’s perspective.  The winning card will change depending on who is judging, so players have to adjust their thinking. 

Bubble Talk

This game is similar to Apples to Apples but uses pictures and captions instead. Everyone can take a turn being the judge, and the judge picks the caption that they think fits the image best. You have to think about things from the perspective of the judge, so it's another game to help children work on taking another person's perspective.

Plane

As with everything in life, game play doesn’t always go smoothly. People may not play by the rules or may get upset when they lose or when someone else is celebrating their win. That’s OK and expected! Nothing in life is perfect, including playing games. Use those teachable moments to reinforce expected behaviors, give feedback and model positive interactions. Start playing today!  

From: https://www.encourageplay.com/blog/10-magnificent-games-to-practice-social-and-emotional-skills-with-kids

Thinking about the the Future

Does your mentee complain about school and homework?  Wondering why they need algebra or to be able to diagram a sentence?  My kids do too!  Sometimes it's hard to explain to them the "whys" of learning.  I found some good advice for us all...

"If you want to see [a] child succeed, you need to show them the connection between today’s planning and tomorrow’s opportunities.

As an adult, it’s easy to look back and see how your choices in school influenced where you are today. But think back to your younger days. The future impact of your daily choices probably wasn’t as obvious to you back then.

I hear students of all ages saying things like: “Hey, it’s not that serious” or “My grades aren’t that serious” or “How I act in school is just not that serious.”

Listen—it is that serious. And one of my favorite ways to challenge the students I meet is by explaining how the choices they’re making today will be a serious factor in the caliber of their future."

https://www.anthonyoneal.com/personal-development/helping-kids-think-about-the-future/

What does their future hold?  What do they see themselves doing someday?  Do they know how to dream big?  . It's never too early to start thinking about college!!
Here are some great tips:

"Prepare academically for college

It's not too early for college preparation. If you're in high school, enroll in the right classes, practice good study habits, stay organized and work on your writing skills.

* Take the right classes during high school

What are the right classes in high school? The courses required for college vary. Contact your guidance counselor to learn more, and check out these sites: 

ACT, Inc. recommendations (www.actstudent.org/college/plancourses.html) *The College Board (SAT) recommendations (www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/33.html)
U.S. Department of Education recommendations (www2.ed.gov/pubs/Prepare/pt2.html)
Colleges want students with a well-rounded education. Take the more challenging classes so you can get a better idea of what college courses may be like.

* Practice good study habits
You may not know if your study habits are up to par with college courses. Start now. Practice good study habits, so when you're in college, you'll already have some effective tools under your belt.
Tips to improve your study skills:

Stay organized by making a "To Do" list. Stick to it.
Set goals for yourself.
Prioritize! A test tomorrow is more important than an assignment due next week.
Take good notes, and then be sure to review them carefully later.
Experiment a little. Where and when do you work best? Alone or in a group, bright or dim lighting, quiet or noisy? Then study that way!

* Improve your writing skills
Effective writing conveys your thoughts into words. It's a skill you use throughout your life, and no matter what career you pursue, the ability to communicate in writing will help you succeed.
Quick tips for effective writing:
Think about your audience. For example, you would use a different tone in an essay than you would in a note to a friend.

Plan ahead.

List important points in the order you wish to make them.
Use a strong opening sentence to catch the reader's attention.
Be clear and to the point. Edit out unnecessary words and information.
Read through your writing for spelling errors and typos. Spell check programs don't catch everything!"

https://mappingyourfuture.org/successincollege/collegeplan.cfm

The bottom line is, according to Benjamin Franklin

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”