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Step 1
Help the kids build reading and comprehension skills by asking them to read and explain the instructions whenever you get a new game or begin a fun activity. Pretend you don't understand one of the rules so they'll have to rephrase key points.
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Step 2
Change the rules to require the kids to count in different styles when they see who can bounce a ball more times or who can skip rope the longest. Ask them to go up by twos or in multiples of three, for example.
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Step 3
Spell words instead of saying them when playing games with oral instructions like Simon Says. You can also organize a relay race in which you spell an animal that the runners must imitate as they race to the finish line.
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Step 4
Let kids practice basic math skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division when you play games involving dice. Have them multiply the numbers or even devise a simple word problem with them that you'll have to solve.
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Step 5
Have a clock or stopwatch running while the kids play to reinforce lessons in telling time and calculating the minutes from the beginning to the end of an event. For instance, tell them they can play for 20 minutes and ask them what time it will be when they quit.
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Step 6
Encourage your kids to play video games online that are not only engaging, but that also teach lessons like geography, math, spelling and recycling. (See Resources)
