My posts cover a variety of topics, including in-depth game reviews, therapeutic gaming, and educational topics such as a parenting and sensory integration.
I’m regularly adding more content, so check back or join my mailing list for updates. If there is a game that you think I should review, contact me with a suggestion.
Fine motor skills – so many games and toys purport to build them, but do they?
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As a pediatric occupational therapist, fine motor and fun are my forte! 🙂 Let me help point you in the right direction as you look for the right game for your child, your classroom, or your clinic.
By age 10, children can handle and even crave more complexity in games. This expanded cognitive ability allows for varied and interesting game picks – even some that are popular with adults, like Stonemaier Game’s award-winning Wingspan.
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Here are five great picks for the blossoming gamer in your life!
Curious about Dungeons & Dragons but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly post series breaks it all down—what you need, how it works, and how to jump into your first adventure. Grab some dice, bring your imagination, and discover why millions of players love the world’s greatest roleplaying game.
Role-playing games (RPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons combine storytelling, imagination, and collaborative problem solving. In these games, players create characters and work together to explore a story guided by a facilitator or game master.
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RPGs are often played just for fun, but they can also be powerful tools in therapeutic, educational, and social settings
Children aged 7-10 years are learning to plan ahead, follow multi-step rules, manage frustration, and think flexibly when things don’t go their way.
Through turn-taking, strategy, problem solving, and playful competition, kids can build important executive functioning, social, and emotional skills while staying engaged.
Once children turn four, their impulse control has improved significantly and they can begin playing more interesting games.
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Good games for this age group challenge cognitive flexibility and problem solving. I’ve compiled a list that targets a variety of skills & subjects and are lots of fun.
It is never too early to introduce your little one to the fun that comes with board games! Even at age two, playing games can help children develop focused attention, frustration tolerance, and impulse control. Here is a list that targets a variety of skills & subjects.
Age: 10+
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Competitive / Semi-Cooperative
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Subjects: English / Language Arts
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Skills: Executive Functioning, Fine Motor, Social-Emotional, Visual-Spatial
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This word game challenges two teams to give single-word clues to help their teammates collect points – while avoiding the assassin!
Board games are powerful tools that offer a multitude of therapeutic benefits to help individuals develop essential skills for daily living.
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This post explores how board games can significantly enhance cognitive functions, specifically memory and problem-solving skills. If you’re looking for games that target cognitive skills, this is for you!
Age: 7+
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Cooperative
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Subjects: Math & Science, Natural World
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Skills: Executive Functioning, Social-Emotional, Visual-Spatial
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In this cooperative strategy game, players have survived a plane crash and scavenged supplies from the wreckage. Now, they must work together to survive until they are rescued!
Age: 2+
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Cooperative
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Subjects: Arts & Music, Math & Science, Natural World
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Skills: Executive Functioning, Fine Motor, Sensory Integration, Social-Emotional, Visual-Spatial
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Hurry and work together to help the owls get back to the nest before the sun rises!
Scientific research supports the variety of benefits that come from play.
This post explores 10 of those potential benefits with relevant clinical examples and associated game recommendations.
I’m regularly adding more content, so check back or join my mailing list for updates. If there is a game that you think I should review, contact me with a suggestion.