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FE Games
FE Games
I remember playing many of these games as a child using only a simple deck of playing
cards. For example, Uno was played with the 2s for “pick up 2”, the 7s as “reverse”, and
the aces as “skip”. In Old Maid, we used a joker to replace the old maid card.
We also play Boggle Slam, Clue: Suspect, Angry Birds (the card game).
Board Games
Basically, any game that uses working memory,
matching details, fast responses, and strategy will do the trick. These are some popular
suggestions:
Physical Games
Musical statues
Musical chairs
What time is it Mr Fox?
Dodge ball
Tetherball
Four square
Simon says
Flashlight tag
Ghost in the graveyard
Laser tag
Paintball
Jump rope – double dutch,
Any sports that combines a physical element with a mental element is a good choice for
developing the executive functions. For instance:
Soccer – exercise that requires thinking (this includes other team sports, like
basketball, hockey, netball, etc.)
Traditional Martial Arts – exercise that includes character development
Yoga – exercise that includes mindfulness
Helping young children with meditation can be tricky, especially if they’re the kind of kids
that need to move a lot. One recommendation is to do the walking meditation:
There are many variations to the walking meditation you can try. You can also try this one
for an indoor day:
Play
The older we grow, the more we forget the importance of playing. Play, especially the
imaginary/pretend kind, is a key component of Vygotsky’s Tools of the Mind, which has
been credited for helping children develop self-control (one of the executive functions).
Playground – for younger children, any playground play that develops their physical
skills, like balance, coordination, climbing, etc. helps with the development of the
executive functions.
Imaginary/Pretend – children learn a lot through this kind of play because it requires
them to take on the role of another person or character and inhibit their own natural
responses as they assume that role.
Story Telling
Story telling is a great activity to help young children develop their executive functions.
Cooking
Cooking is another great activity for young children because they need to use working
memory to follow the instructions, focus their attention when measuring and counting.
Brain Games
Puzzle books – mazes, crosswords, logic
puzzles, memory puzzles, wordsearches, etc.
Jigsaw puzzles – children need to match the shape of the puzzle piece and the image
on the puzzle pieces together by holding the images in their minds (good for
developing working memory).
Logic games:
Smart Games
ThinkFun
Mindware
Brain teasers
Digital brain games:
ThinkFun
Brain training apps
Games for focus
Working Memory Games
Games for executive functions
Sparky’s Adventures
Jungle Memory
For ADHD kids, outdoor, physically active games are great. But when weather or other
circumstances prevent this, board games can be a good substitute. Games that are less
complicated and low-tech can work often better for ADHD kids. High tech games can be
over stimulating and can lead to frustration.
There are a number of popular board games that can help with:
When selecting a game for kids with ADHD, there are several important considerations:
The Memory Game (Milton Bradley): This game helps increase attention span and
memory. Players must match their cards with others that are turned face down. If you
turn a card face up and it doesn’t match your card, you have to put it back face down. The
challenge for players is to remember the cards that have been put back down, so you can
pair them with your cards when matches come up. Whoever gets the most matches wins.
Chinese Checkers: Chinese Checkers is simple, yet it requires a bit of strategy. The
challenge is to get your men from one end of the board to the other. Children will learn
over time that if they problem solve and think ahead about where they are going, they can
get there much more quickly.
Chutes and Ladders (Milton Bradley): Chutes and Ladders is an excellent way to help kids
build frustration tolerance and get over failures quickly. The objective is simple: players
move along a trail toward the top of the board, climbing up ladders or sliding down chutes
when you land on them. Frustration can result from landing on a chute and going from
leader to loser instantly.
Clue (Milton Bradley): Clue is the classic crime solving game where players determine who
committed a crime through a process of elimination. Children must think about the
information they have and don’t have. They must use that information to solve problems,
rather than act on their feelings before thinking about the consequences. With Clue,
children learn quickly that impulsive actions usually are counterproductive. The game also
gets kids to practice organization and prioritization skills.
The Impulse Control Game – As players make their way through a maze of roads on the
game board, they face a series of questions: Should I take the short but hazardous route,
or the safe but longer route? What might happen if I exceed the speed limit? Is the easy
way the best way? Players must choose their routes carefully and anticipate the
consequences of their actions. In this way, the game teaches kids the skills they need to
manage impulsive behavior.
Pretty AMAZING, huh? Did you have any idea how beneficial games are
for Executive Function skills? Isn't it great that you can help your child/student while
also having FUN?
Would you like more information on popular games and the executive functioning skills
they strengthen/develop? Download our Executive Function game
Guides for ®UNOand ®Sorry! Our game guides are great for parents and
professionals to use while playing the game. They not only help to teach the child
HOW to play the game but also give the parent/professional "scripts" on what to say to
strengthen a particular skill while playing.
Until next time...keep growing and blooming....and what's your favorite game to
play at home or with your students? I'd love to know.