Mark the alternative that fills in, correctly and...

The Benefits of Board Games for Students

1. Board games challenge students to think critically, weigh their options, and adapt strategies
2. in real time. Unlike passive learning, games like Rush Hour require active decision-making where
3. each move has consequences. When ____ (calculate) risks in Chess or ____ (predict) an
4. opponent’s next move in Onitama, students strengthen skills such as strategic planning, logical
5. reasoning, and problem-solving. These abilities not only enhance academic performance but also
6. prepare them for real-world challenges requiring quick thinking and adaptability.
7. Many games also reinforce academic skills in a fun, low-pressure way. Unlike traditional
8. worksheets or drills, games like Codenames, Sushi Go Party!, and Letter Tycoon provide
9. hands-on learning experiences that encourage students to think critically. Whether they are
10. calculating scores, forming words, or recognizing patterns, students absorb key math and literacy
11. concepts. Because board games naturally reward effort and strategy, they help students build
12. confidence in these areas, making them more likely to approach academic challenges with a
13. positive mindset.
14. Losing a game can be frustrating, but it also presents a valuable lesson in resilience and
15. emotional regulation. Options like Sorry!, Forbidden Island, and Karuba help students develop a
16. growth mindset, teaching them how to handle setbacks, adapt strategies, and persist through
17. challenges. These experiences translate directly into better emotional resilience in school and
18. everyday life.
19. With constant digital distractions, sustained attention has become a valuable skill. Board
20. games nurture focus by requiring players to plan ahead and remain attentive throughout the
21. game. Unlike fast-paced video games that often shorten attention spans, board games reward
22. concentration and patience. For students with attention challenges, games like Go (Baduk) can
23. be particularly beneficial. Jenga, Blokus, and Animal Upon Animal are other options to try.
24. Playing games also strengthens emotional bonds. Studies in neuroscience reveal that
25. cooperative and social play triggers the release of oxytocin, which promotes feelings of trust and
26. closeness. Additionally, social play activates the brain’s reward centers, reinforcing positive
27. interactions and fostering a sense of belonging. Through games like Scrabble, Qwirkle, and Jack’s
28. Friends, players communicate, collaborate, and navigate challenges together in a supportive
29. environment.
30. Creativity, which fuels innovation, problem-solving, and adaptability in everyday life, also
31. flourishes through play. Encouraging students to think outside the box, express ideas freely, and
32. build unique narratives helps develop their confidence and communication skills. Whether they’re
33. crafting stories with Telestrations, improvising solutions with Sparkle Kitty, or interpreting
34. abstract ideas with Dixit, creative play allows students to explore new perspectives and stretch
35. their imaginations.
36. Board games may seem like simple entertainment, but their impact on students is anything
37. but trivial. From sharpening critical thinking skills to fostering emotional resilience, board games
38. provide an engaging, hands-on way to learn that no textbook or screen can replicate. It is a
39. joyful, low-pressure experience where mistakes become lessons, patience leads to success, and
40. collaboration strengthens relationships.

(Available at: https://greatplainsgamingproject.com/the-benefits-of-board-games-for-

students/ – text specially adapted for this test).