Fun Math Games That Develop Strategic Thinking - By: Teresa Evans

Strategic thinking is a most valuable skill for children to develop. It requires the ability to observe, take in different pieces of information, analyze information, plan and analyze possible solutions and select appropriate actions.

Strategic thinking is a form of problem solving. Everyday we are required to solve problems. Everyday we need solutions. Problem solving is an essential skill in our work life, home life and social life.

Games like chess and backgammon are ideal for teaching strategic thinking. However these games require the game equipment and have complex rules that can take some time to learn and master. They are also games that take some time to play.

Instead of using these complex games there are some math games that are much simpler for children to learn and play. Have a go at teaching these games to children and you'll find that you'll be hooked on playing too.

Corners
This is a challenging game of strategy for two people. It is simple to learn and quick to play and children love to play again and again.
To play Corners draw a 10 by 10 grid. Each player uses a different colored pen.
- Both players start in opposite corners.
- Players take turns at coloring a block of 2 squares that are joined by a side.
- Every block that is colored after the first one must join to one of the other colored blocks that has been colored by that player, but only at the corner.
- A player can not have 2 of their colored blocks joined along a side.
- When a player is unable to color a block of 2 squares, he is out and the other player is the winner.

Sprouts
This is a simple but challenging game for 2 people.
To play Sprouts draw three random dots on a sheet of paper.
- Each player takes turns at drawing a curved line to link 2 dots then placing another dot somewhere along the line.
- There are 2 rules for this game - no line can cross another line and no dot can have more than 3 lines leaving it.
- The last player who is able to make a join is the winner.

These games can be played in different ways in different situations.
- Use pencil and paper to play or play on a whiteboard or blackboard.
- Play on the computer by drawing a table in a Microsoft Word doc for Corners or by drawing dots and lines for Sprouts. This will also give practice at computer skills at the same time.
- Play in the classroom on the board with one side of the room challenging the other side.
- In the classroom, have a tournament by pairing students off to play against each other. Winners of each game can play again in the next round and then continue until a class champ is found.

There are many other simple strategy games that kids love to play.
At first children may choose to play in a random manner but they can be encouraged to develop strategies that will improve their chance of winning.

If you are looking for a great strategy to develop strategic thinking - start looking at math games.

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Author Resource : Teresa Evans is a teacher and parent who uses math games to get kids excited about math. She shares her favorite math games at MakingMathMoreFun.com(http://www.makingmathmorefun.com/). Game sheets for Sprouts and Corners can be printed from the Making Math More Fun. You can receive your own 7 part math games collection when you visit www.makingmathmorefun.com