Games That Teach: Using Board Games and Puzzles to Assess Learning

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Did you know that a family board game night can be a fun and insightful way to assess your child’s learning? From counting spaces to strategizing moves, board games and puzzles offer endless opportunities to see how your child’s skills are developing. In this post, we’ll explore how different types of games can help you gauge progress in areas like math, language, critical thinking, and more—all while enjoying quality time together.

Choosing the Right Games for Learning

Not all games are created equal when it comes to building and assessing specific skills. Some games naturally encourage math skills, others focus on language development, and many promote critical thinking. For example, linear board games, where players count spaces along a path, can be particularly useful for developing early numeracy skills. Research has shown that these types of games help children grasp concepts like numerical magnitude and order, which are essential for math development (Siegler & Ramani, 2008)​.

When selecting games, consider ones that involve:

Counting and basic math: Games with numbered paths help with counting and understanding numerical order. Even simple games with dice and numbered spaces can introduce addition and subtraction as children count moves or calculate scores.

Language and vocabulary: Word-based games encourage reading, spelling, and vocabulary skills, making them a great way to support literacy.

Strategy and critical thinking: Games that require planning or predicting opponents’ moves can improve problem-solving and strategic thinking. Puzzles, for instance, teach spatial awareness and require children to analyze patterns and think ahead​ (Andika, 2019).

By choosing games that align with the skills you want to observe, you can create a playful learning environment that also provides meaningful assessments.

How to Observe Skills in Action

Once you’ve chosen a game, watch how your child plays. This isn’t about critiquing them, but rather observing key behaviors and skills as they engage with the game. Here are some tips for what to look for during gameplay:

Strategizing and Planning: Does your child think ahead or consider different options before making a move? Strategy games can reveal their ability to plan and adapt their approach based on the game’s progress.

Following Rules and Patience: Games with structured rules are a great way to see if your child can follow directions and handle delays, like waiting for their turn. Developing patience in a fun setting can transfer to other areas where patience is needed.

Problem-Solving: Notice how your child responds when they encounter challenges, like a tough puzzle piece that won’t fit or a move that doesn’t go as planned. This can provide insight into their persistence and creativity when faced with obstacles ​(Stagnitti, 2004).

By observing these actions, you gain a clearer understanding of your child’s developmental strengths and areas that may need more support. Plus, you’re giving them a chance to practice important skills in a relaxed, enjoyable way.

Beyond Winning: Key Learning Moments

Winning and losing offer valuable lessons, but often, the most important learning moments happen during the game. Rather than focusing solely on the outcome, watch for other behaviors that reveal growth in social and cognitive skills:

Cooperation and Communication: In team-based games, see how your child collaborates with others. Do they listen to teammates’ ideas, offer their own suggestions, and negotiate to reach a decision?

Resilience: Sometimes, a game may not go in their favor, and that’s okay. Games can provide a safe space to build resilience and learn to handle setbacks with grace. If they lose, observe whether they’re able to stay positive and enjoy the experience. Encourage discussions on what was learned from the experience and what could improve outcomes the next time, encouraging their perseverance​ (Elkind, 2008).

Creativity and Flexibility: Puzzles and open-ended games can showcase your child’s ability to think creatively and adapt. Notice if they come up with new ways to approach challenges or are willing to try different strategies.

These key learning moments can offer a deeper look into how your child approaches learning and problem-solving, which can help you understand their unique learning style.

Encouraging Reflection

Reflection is an important part of any assessment, and it doesn’t have to be formal. After the game, spend a few minutes talking with your child about what they enjoyed or found challenging. Here are some gentle questions to get the conversation started:

• “What was your favorite part of the game?” This question encourages them to think about what aspects of the game they enjoyed, which can give insight into their interests.

• “Did anything surprise you about the game?” This helps them reflect on unexpected moments and consider what they learned from the experience.

• “What would you try differently next time?” Encouraging them to think about alternate strategies fosters a growth mindset and prepares them for future problem-solving ​(Miller, 2018).

This casual conversation can help your child process their experience, recognize their achievements, and think about areas for improvement—all in a way that feels supportive rather than evaluative.

Final Thoughts

Using board games and puzzles as assessments is a wonderful way to bring learning to life through play without adding pressure or taking away the fun. Observing your child’s approach to these games offers valuable insights into their strengths and areas for growth, all while creating enjoyable family memories. This natural, stress-free setting reveals hidden skills, making games an ideal tool for homeschooling parents who want to assess progress without formal tests. In our next post, we’ll explore how a simple nature walk can transform into a rich science assessment, offering even more ways to observe your child’s growth while exploring the world around them.

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