Board Games in Early Childhood Classrooms

IT 577 Project

Julie C.

Project Purpose

The goal of this project is to explore the current role of board games in the early childhood classroom (Pre-K and K).

Project Results

Number of Participants – 41

51% - Pre-K Teachers

Over 50% have at least 16 years experience in Early Childhood

All - value games in the classroom

States RepresentedTexas Oklahoma Tennessee

Florida Colorado Ohio

Wisconsin Michigan New York

Kansas Virginia Pennsylvania

California Minnesota Connecticut

North Carolina Vermont Massachusetts

Illinois Georgia Maryland

Washington

Canada – Surrey, BC; Toronto, ON; Calgary, AB

Game RatingsHigh Quality

Hi-Ho Cherry-O’sChutes and LaddersCandylandMemoryTwisterDon’t Break the Ice

Low QualityDon’t Spill the BeansHungry Hungry HipposHoney Bee TreeLucky Ducks

Recommended by ParticipantsPapa’s Pizza ToppleCaribooBingo (letters, numbers, colors, shapes, rhyming)ZingoTrouble Jr.UnoEveryday Math board gamesCheckersSorryCountdownScrabble Jr.Guess Who?ColoramaSnail Pace RaceCootie

But what are the students learning?(according to the participants)

Personal and Social Skills

Mathematical Thinking Fine Motor Skills

Language and Literacy Skills

Participant Quotes“Board games bring students, families, friends, siblings and

neighbors together. Togetherness is missing in Western society because of our fast paced lifestyle and the struggles of everyday life.”

- Kindergarten Teacher (Toronto, Ontario)

“Many children nowadays do not have exposure to board games as we did growing up so I think they need to be taught, more than ever, in the classroom.”

- Kindergarten Teacher (Surrey, BC)

“I think technology is wonderful, but providing hands-on practice and learning through the use of board games is so valuable.”

- Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Tennessee)