04/17/2026
How lucky are we to “just play games” with our kiddos?! ❤️
Q: Why do you play games like Spot It and UNO at the end of your lessons? Wouldn’t my child be better off playing word games?
A: Great question!
Games like Spot It and UNO might not look like traditional literacy learning, but they play a powerful role in building executive function — the brain skills we need to learn effectively.
Executive function includes things like:
• Working memory (holding and using information)
• Attention and focus
• Impulse control
• Cognitive flexibility (switching between ideas or rules)
When children play these games, they’re practising:
✨ Tracking rules and patterns
✨ Thinking quickly and flexibly
✨ Managing frustration and emotions
✨ Taking turns and staying engaged
These skills are essential for reading and writing. For example, a child needs executive function to:
📚 Follow the sequence of sounds in a word
📚 Stay focused on a sentence
📚 Check and correct their own work
So while it might look like “just a game,” it’s actually targeted brain training — and ending sessions this way also helps children finish on a positive, fun note 💛
Learning isn’t just about what we teach — it’s about building the brain skills that make learning possible.
Some other great games for building executive function are:
🧠 Memory – strengthens working memory and attention
👀 Simon Says – builds listening skills and impulse control
⚡️ Bop It – encourages quick thinking and response inhibition
🎲 Connect 4 – supports planning, strategy, and flexible thinking
🃏 Go Fish – develops memory, turn-taking, and focus
🧩 Jenga – builds self-control, patience, and fine motor planning
The best part? These all feel like fun — but they’re quietly building the brain skills children need for reading, writing, and learning 💛