Playing competitive games and helping kids to interact with each other will build their confidence. Games that encourage kids to communicate and make decisions will boost their self-esteem for later in life. Games such as "Chutes and Ladders" are ideal for younger children who are still learning to take turns. This is also a gentle introduction to the higher numbers as players climb all the way to 100, which is at the top of the board. As kids travel along the game path, they will encounter different situations, which helps develop decision-making skills. Another great game is "Candyland" in which players move around the game board and try to be the first one to reach the candy castle at the end of the trail. This is important not only for confidence-building but also for their interpersonal development.
Social games enable kids to develop bonds with family and friends, making them more prepared for social situations. Games such as "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed," which requires multiple players, will help develop important social skills by encouraging interaction with others and bonding with friends. The player that places all five monkeys on the bed first, wins. This game is also a great introduction to counting.
Aggressive behavior in children has become an increasingly serious social problem. Games that discourage aggressive behavior help to counter this alarming trend. A study of preschool children from the University of Nevada department of psychology, published in the "Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis," in 1994, suggests that cooperative games can increase sharing and stronger peer relationships. Cooperative activities such as putting a puzzle together can encourage non-aggressive behavior.
There are many games that encourage young children to use their fine motor skills such as placing pegs in boards, drawing or scribbling, and picking up blocks as well as playing board games such as "Chutes and Ladders" and "Lotto." Games such as "Simon Says" help develop children's concentration and listening skills, as it is not possible to play the game without paying close attention to what "Simon Says." Teaching children rhymes and songs that include actions with their fingers and hands such as "The Wheel on the Bus" encourages children to use their fine motor skills as well as language and cognitive skills.