More Games that Benefit the Brain: A Review

If you have been reading my blogs, you know I'm a big fan of bringing the fun factor into learning.  In fact, did you know there are many games that can improve cognitive functioning?  Kids love to play card and board games, and there are quite a few that exercise and strengthen the brain. Back in September I reviewed 15 games that can benefit cognition and I wanted to add a few more to the list:

Game:	Cognitive Benefits	Where to Purchase
Rat-A-Tat-Cat:	· Visual Processing · Visual Memory · Planning · Attention · Working Memory	Amazon: See link below
Q-Bits – Extreme:	· Visual Processing · Spatial Relations · Speed of Processing · Attention to Detail · Mental Flexibility · Executive Functioning · Perceptual Reasoning	Amazon: See link below
Duple:	· Visual Processing · Word Finding · Processing Speed · Hemisphere Integration · Attention to Details	Amazon: See link below
Stare:	· Visual Memory · Speed of Processing · Metacognitive Skills · Attention to Details	Amazon: See link below
Color Code:	· Visual Processing · Nonverbal Reasoning · Spatial Relations · Planning · Perceptual Reasoning	Amazon: See link below
No Speed Limit:	· Processing Speed · Visual Processing · Visual Memory · Executive Functioning · Perceptual Reasoning	Amazon: See link below
Qwitch:	· Mental Flexibility · Sequential Processing · Speed of Processing · Working Memory · Hemisphere Integration	Amazon: See link below
Anomia:	· Word Finding · Processing Speed · Hemisphere Integration · Attention to Details	Amazon: See link below
Speedabee:	· Word Finding · Speed of Processing · Mental Flexibility · Listening Skills · Auditory Processing · Verbal Reasoning	Amazon: See link below

I hope you found this useful.  If you know of other card or board games, that you would like me to review, please share them in the comment box below.  

 

Cheers, Erica

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com, www.dyslexiamaterials.com & www.learningtolearn.biz  

Cognitive Exercises Solve Reading and Math Difficulties

Many young learners struggle with basic reading and math because the cognitive skills required to do these tasks are weak.  Therefore, these children need to strengthen these processing areas before they attempt to learn how to decode words and execute basic computations. 

What are the Core Areas of Cognition Required for Basic Reading and Math?

1.   Sequential processing and memory: The ability to scan, make sense of, and remember information in a sequence or series.

2.   Auditory processing and memory: The ability to listen, make sense of, and remember information that is heard.

3.   Visual processing and memory: The ability to scan, make sense of, and remember visual information and symbols.

4.   Attention to detail: The ability to thoroughly and accurately perceive and consider all the details and then determine the most important piece or pieces of information.

5.   Speed of processing: The ability to perform simple repetitive cognitive tasks quickly and fluently.

6.   Spatial skills: The ability to mentally manipulate 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional figures.

7.   Tracking: The ability to scan text from left to right.

 

Basic Exercises can Help to Remediate Weak Cognitive Areas

Each of the cognitive areas listed above can be strengthened.  However, what is most important is the activities need to be focused and engaging enough to enchant young learners.  From my work with children over the past 15 years, I have recently created two publications that offer fun activities and games that your primary students will be sure to love.  These activities can also be used with older students as a form of cognitive remediation.

Following Directions Primary:

My newest publication, Following Directions Primary, offers a comprehensive, 49 page, digital download that includes process of elimination and coloring activities.  It develops abilities with the use of cute animals and aliens as well as letters, numbers, shapes and arrows. As students develop listening skills, they also enhance linguistic abilities and core cognitive skills.  If you are interested in learning more about this publication you can come to my product page.  You can even download free samples.

Reversing Reversals Primary:

This past summer, I created Reversing Reversals Primary.  This two focuses on strengthening the cognitive foundation needed for reading and math.  It also works on the cognitive areas that impact students with dyslexia such as perception.  This publication, which is available as a digital download, offers 72 pages of activities and a game and teaches all of the cognitive skills with the use of colorful animal images.  If you are interested in learning more about this publication you can come to my product page. You can even download a free samples.

By helping young learners to develop their core, cognitive foundation before commencing with reading and math instruction, you can assure that these students will have the abilities necessary to succeed. Furthermore, you can avoid learning difficulties and allow your young learners to progress with confidence.

Cheers, Erica

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com, www.dyslexiamaterials.com & www.learningtolearn.biz