Want to have fun and build skills for learning all at once? Encourage your child to play card games, either with you or with friends.
Games like "Concentration" and "Go Fish" build memory, recognition and recall skills. Games like "Spit" and "War" for older children also build quick reflexes.
For younger children, begin with "Concentration," adapting it to their level. Ask very young children to "find the black two" and remember where they last saw it. (Don't use too many cards at first). Older kids can find pairs of the black and red kings, queens, jacks and aces. As they get better, add more cards from the deck until you're using all 52.
"Go Fish" can also be adapted to each child's level. Start with three or five cards. Ask very young children only to lay down cards with the shapes (diamonds, clubs, hearts, etc.) or numbers you call out. This will help them learn to recognize numbers and shapes. If they don't have what you ask for in their hand, they can "Go Fish." Later, you can ask them to find pairs (or sets of 4); the winner is the player with the most pairs or groups.
For older children, the fast-paced games of "War" and "Spit" require a sharp eye and quick reflexes, as well as the ability to recognize card values and similarities. The more they play, the better these skills become. Check the library (Dewey number 790.1) for books with the rules for playing these and other fun skill-building card games.
Lisa A. Wroble is a freelance writer.