Things You'll Need:
- A knowledge of trading card games.
- The urge to want to understand what their children are playing.
- Seeking knowledge of trading card games and the effects on children.
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Step 1
Magic the GatheringThe first thing that any parent should do is to sit down and look over the game that their child is playing. Depending on the age group some trading card games can be a little more complicated than others, which will lead to more frustration rather than an enjoyable learning experience (Explore the resource section of this article to see trading card games sorted by age appropriate group).
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Step 2
PokemonMost card games have wonderful illustrations that can capture the eye of any youngster and oldster for that matter, world-known artist and up-coming artist provide their artwork for these trading card games. Along side with creative illustrations demonstrating arts of all kind comes the literature; the literature on the card normally known as sub-text, card-text, abilities, creature type, etc... depending on which trading card game your child is playing is very descriptive, informational, and gives instruction of the card. The language used again depending on the trading card game can be considered friendly. However, most terms used on the cards will need to be taught and learned playing the game itself; abilities such as haunting, fear, instant, sorcery, can be found on the card and may need further explanation if the child is new to the game.
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Step 3
Yu-Gi-OhWe then can focus our attention on the numbers located on the corners of the trading cards, these numbers typically reflect the number of lives, the number of strength, the number of defensive points and so on. Theses numbers are used to decide who wins a battle, who will steal the card, who will capture a creature, etc... For example if I posses a creature card with the numbers 3/5 on it and you posses a card with the numbers 2/3 on it, and I manage to attack you successfully this will allow me to remove your card off the board; hence I won that specific battle.
In addition to the numbers on the cards themselves, the players normally start off with a number which represents the players lives. Different games have different ways of using this step of the game, however, all of the games purpose of the players lives is typically who ever reaches zero first wins. -
Step 4
Playing Yu-Gi-OhSo, after reviewing steps one - three you can come to the realization how trading card games can actually help your child's learning process. Step one explains that age appropriate games are wise so your child does not get agitated with a game they just may not understand yet.
Step two walks your through how the trading card games can actually promote reading, writing and comprehension for your child. It can promote your child's interest in art, and researching skills.
Step three is one of the most important and most effective skill that a child can gain from trading card games. Math is such an important part of our daily lives, the different trading card games help the children exercise these skills with each moment they are playing. It helps them learn strategic skills, it helps them with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, the use of a calculator, even the use of algebra with the more advance games.
Trading card games are a wonderful educational experience, however, it should not replace homework, it should not replace responsibilities, so no matter what the perks are they are not excuses for a child to put the game first and life second.
Comments
Teachmemath said
on 9/16/2008 Thanks...my students tell me that yugio requires math skills.
Cherst1031 said
on 9/4/2008 Good to know there is some educational benefit from trading card games.
purrfect1969 said
on 9/4/2008 Interesting subject. I never thought much about this games before reading this.
MidniteWriter said
on 9/4/2008 very good ways to look at it. My son burned out from these eventually, so there is hope!!
oneloved said
on 9/4/2008 Kids can learn these skills from other games that are less addictive and obsessive, without dwelling so much on darkness, magic, war, and evil. These fantasy games absorb sooo much time and effort, it can cut into real-life relationships and interests. Kids don't always have the discernment to know what kind of friends are healthy to hang out with and influence them - especially the imaginary ones.