FAMILY MATTERS PLAYING WITH KIDS MAKES THEM SMARTER

Experts say children are starting school unable to communicate effectively. Emma thinks building brighter kids can be fun

Ithink technology has way more benefits than problems, but it is also partly to blame for the decline in children’s ability to communicate. I see kids as young as three on tablets and phones, and while that may seem like a great temporary distraction, they need more than screens for a healthy and happy childhood. Too much screen time and not enough reading and unstructured imaginative play rewires kids’ brains, leaving them less prepared to thrive as adults. To help make your children confident, creative and communicative, cultivate these traits. My boys are 16 and 14, but we still play Simon Says, and memory games regularly. These are fun, but they also require focus and encourage self-regulation. Jenga teaches strategy and helps kids manage stress. Playing cards together encourages them to follow rules, and teaches healthy competition. Board games like Monopoly and children’s Trivial Pursuit improve general knowledge, and School of Life cards and the Mad Gab game help kids to think about the world. When my boys were little, we practised the alphabet by spotting things that began with each letter, or counting by spotting three magpies, or ten leaves. Kids love playing with their parents and there are many ways to fuel their developing imaginations away from screens. Schedule these activities and no-tech time every week, to get them used to being off screens and excited about family fun time.