I Know! Uno!

UNO Tournament Finals, Summer 2019

One of my favorite pastimes is a game of UNO®. I really love how every generation becomes completely enamoured with it. Though I’m not the biggest fan of all of the new versions of the classic game, you have to respect a game that requires minimal effort to engage the newest technology obsessed generation. It was during a fierce game with one of my kiddos that I realized how good this game is for her. You know how to play: I have a hand, you have a hand, we each vie to be the first one free of cards. Of course, you must also completely humiliate your opponent by throwing down at least one, but in the best games more than one, of the infamous Draw 4 cards! Though not so nice, it is fun!

Here’s another way to think about this game. Organize and categorize by color and number, use critical reasoning to strategize each play, continually rethink your plan based on new additions to your hand, all while anticipating what your opponent’s next move will be. It’s incredible really, thinking about the way our brains can process all of this simultaneously. It reminds me of the process that happens while reading. As strong readers, we read each word, each sentence, considering vocabulary meaning, using context to anticipate which words make sense to come next, or even to go back and correct errors made along the way. When you get to the end, the imagery those words created in your mind help you to understand what was read. Again, there is a lot happening, all at once. The same can be said for writing, but a separate post about that is coming soon!

So, it got me thinking about other games that can help to reinforce these really important skills. The ability we need to do this layered processing, so to speak. Playing games that encourage strategy, planning, and critical thinking is a natural way to see growth here. Everything from UNO®, Connect 4®, Twister®, Jigsaw Puzzles, Sudoku®, and Chess/Checkers work well. Word games can also encourage vocabulary development and expressive language. Think Scrabble®, Mad Gab®, Taboo®, or even Charades!® and Pictionary®. There are, of course, therapeutic methods and academic remediation that may be required if a student really struggles with this in reading, writing, or in social and/or academic settings. For that I would recommend consulting a psychologist, or perhaps an audiologist for evaluation and recommendation. You may contact me here if you need a referral or recommendation.

In the meantime, though, play some games!

Happy gaming!

Tia