Let the Games Begin!

I was raised in a family that loves games...all kinds of games. Give us a game and we can find a way to plan a party and play it with 20 people! Card games, Board games, word games, video games, you name it....we have probably played it! In fact, in my opinion, this is something that has kept our family close for many generations. Even the little ones get involved in the "gaming" at an early age sitting on the laps of adults and helping play cards or lay pieces down. It's almost a right of passage when you are old enough to sit at the table in your own chair and play yourself.

So, it is no surprise that my own kids are starting to LOVE games! We have game night every night before bed. After bath-time and before story-time, we drag out a classic game (we've only mastered three so far- Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, and Dominoes) and we play, and yes, we are competitive.

It's interesting to watch as the kids learn to grasp the concept of the games and the feelings that come with winning and losing. There are so many skills associated with games, as you know, but my just-turned-three year old has learned that he can only touch his pieces or people since he likes to move them everywhere and more importantly, my 4 year old daughter has quickly learned how to "quietly" cheat (and how even when you draw two cards "by accident" or spin the spinner a second time when you think no-one is looking, it may not always work to your benefit.

At the end of the day, though, what I hope they get from these games is a strong sense of pride in how they played the game, but most importantly the memories of a little friendly family competition.

So, what's on your family "game list" for today?