As a teacher, building relationships with your students is one of the most important things you can do to create a positive and productive learning environment. Whether you’re playing games in the classroom, board games, or outside games, these activities can be a fun and effective way to build relationships with your students.
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Building strong connections with your elementary-aged students is such an important and exciting part of their growth journey. When kids have strong connections with their caregivers, educators, and friends, it gives them a secure base from where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. And what better way to build relationships than through games? They’re not only fun to play, but they also provide a unique opportunity for kids to interact and bond with one another.
Games as a Strategy for Connection
Games are a powerful tool for promoting social interaction and communication. They allow children to interact with others in a relaxed and fun environment. Games such as Charades, 20 questions, Pictionary, capture the flag, and parachute games can be used to promote communication and teamwork. These games require children to communicate with one another, listen actively, and work together to achieve a common goal. This type of interaction is essential for building positive relationships. It allows children to learn more about one another and develop trust and mutual respect.
Board games, card games, and sports are also effective games for building relationships. Board games such as Scrabble, Clue, Scattergories, and Cranium promote teamwork and communication, as they require players to work together to achieve a common goal. Card games such as Memory, Go Fish, Crazy 8’s, and Rummy are excellent for promoting social interaction and communication. They require players to communicate with one another and pay attention to what their opponents are doing. While playing board might not be the first thing that comes to mind as a classroom activity, they are wonderful elements to introduce during the first weeks of school. Opportunities arise as students are getting to know one another, on rainy days, or if there is a need for a “reset” in the environment.
Playing games together in a classroom setting can provide a sense of bonding and belonging. Children who play games with their teachers feel more comfortable communicating with them and feel more connected to them. Playing games as a group can also promote teamwork and cooperation, which are essential skills for children to develop.
Games in the Classroom Support Executive Functioning, Social, and Emotional Development
The depth of learning a variety of social, emotional, and executive functioning skills through games cannot be overestimated. Social skills that can be developed include communication and collaboration through teamwork and turn-taking. And while many people might think that children learn these things through playing games at home, this can’t be assumed. Parents are often busy and traditional games that were played in the past are not necessarily being played today. Parents are busier than ever, and finding the time to play games isn’t always easy.
Social Development
Games that involve teamwork and cooperation can teach children how to communicate effectively with others and work together towards a common goal. This can also help them develop their turn-taking skills, which can be important in social interactions. Role-playing games can help children develop empathy and perspective-taking. These games encourage them to put themselves in other people’s shoes and understand different perspectives. Conflict resolution is another important social skill that can be developed through games. Games that involve negotiation and compromise can teach children how to resolve conflicts and find mutually beneficial solutions.
Emotional Development
Emotional skills that can be developed through games include self-regulation, self-esteem, and resilience. Self-regulation skills can be developed through games that require children to manage their emotions and frustration. Games that are challenging but achievable can help children develop a sense of self-esteem by giving them a sense of accomplishment and success. Resilience can also be developed through games, as children learn to face and overcome challenges. Games that involve problem-solving and decision-making can help children develop the emotional skills of persistence and determination.
Executive Functioning Skills
Executive functioning skills that can be developed through games include planning and organization, attention and focus, and flexibility and adaptability. Games that require strategy and goal-setting can help children develop planning and organization skills. Games that require sustained engagement can help children develop attention and focus skills. In addition, games that involve problem-solving and decision-making can help children develop flexibility and adaptability skills. These skills are important for children to develop as they help them to be successful in school and in other areas of their lives.
Structured vs Unstructured Games in the Classroom
Structured games are those that have set rules, goals, and objectives and a specific way to win or lose. Examples of structured games include board games, sports, and tag games. These games can be great for teaching children specific skills, such as strategy and teamwork, and can be a fun way for children to spend their time.
On the other hand, unstructured games are those that do not have set rules or objectives. Unstructured games often involve children using their imagination and creativity to create their own games. Examples of unstructured games include free play, dress-up, and make-believe. These types of games allow children to explore their imagination, express their creativity, and take the lead in directing their own play.
It is important for children to have time to engage in unstructured play because it allows them to develop their creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills. It also allows them to develop social skills, such as negotiation, cooperation, and leadership. Unstructured play can also help children develop a sense of autonomy and self-direction. This can be important for their self-esteem and self-confidence. In addition, it allows them to take ownership of their own play. This gives them a sense of control and empowerment over their own experiences.
Child-Initiated Games
Although it is important for teachers to initiate games, it is also important to embed opportunities during the school day for children to initiate games. Long gone are the days when children frequently gathered in neighborhoods to play a spontaneous game together. Along with this, the art of thinking of a game to play and initiating the activity by children is somewhat lost. By giving them opportunities to have agency over their lives through having open-ended times that they can start a pick-up game in the yard, or pull out a board game during recess, you are providing time and space for them to develop some important skills.
Positive Outcomes in the Classroom
Building relationships through games can lead to improved classroom dynamics by fostering a sense of trust and mutual respect among students. When children feel comfortable with one another and their teacher, they are more likely to participate in class discussions, ask questions, and share their ideas. This leads to a more engaged and interactive classroom environment, where learning is more enjoyable and effective.
Playing games in the classroom also has a positive impact on academic performance and behavior. Children who play games with their teachers and classmates have low-risk opportunities to develop focus, concentration, and memory skills. These skills can transfer to curricular areas. Games also help children develop problem-solving skills. These skills can be applied to many academic subjects, particularly in the areas of math and science experimentation. Furthermore, as games foster a sense of camaraderie and connection, they support the development of positive experiences. This in turn leads to positive relationships and a more peaceful and harmonious classroom.
The importance of a positive classroom environment for student success cannot be overstated. Children who feel safe, respected, and valued are more likely to be engaged in their learning and to achieve their full potential. Games are a powerful tool for creating a positive classroom environment. They promote positive relationships and foster a sense of unity and cooperation among students.
Final Thoughts on Games in the Classroom
Building relationships with elementary-aged children through games is a fun and effective way to promote positive development. Games are a powerful tool for promoting social interaction and communication, which are essential for building positive relationships. When used in a classroom setting, games can foster teamwork and cooperation. This leads to improved classroom dynamics, and better academic performance, and behavior. When educators incorporate games into their interactions with children, it results in a positive and enjoyable learning environment for all involved.
Letty Rising has been involved in Montessori education for over 15 years. She holds a B.A. in Sociology, a California State Teaching Credential, and an AMI elementary diploma for ages 6-12 and an M.Ed from Loyola University in Maryland. She has held positions as a Homeschool Education Specialist, Montessori Elementary Teacher, School Director, Principal, Montessori Coordinator, and Consultant in several public and private Montessori school communities throughout the years. Letty currently supports schools around the world through professional development offerings, consulting, and mentoring.