Games for Learning

This book is a real find. It is full of inventive and fun little games that teach skills needed for reading and math in such a way that children have so much fun they don't even realize they are learning. Kaye introduces each game with a description of the student and the learning problem she designed it for, and there is a key next to each game with suggested grade levels, both of which help the reader to pick out the best games for their kids or students. She aslo explains what each game teaches. I bought the book because my daughter was having some trouble with reading and math in Kindergarten. I've tried out a few games and she enjoyes them while it provides us with quality time together. I've also learned from the directions some key tools for how to approach children and learning tasks so that they feel like fun, not a task, for example, Kaye recommends that we play the games with the child, taking turns and participating equally.The book has also helped me to understand where my daughter is coming from at the age of five, what kinds of developmental issues are common, and how to recognize where learning is occurring. Though I'm a college professor, I didn't have a clue how to teach a child or what was age-appropriate. So, the book not only helps me educate my daughter, but it is educating me about teaching and learning, and the games are easy to fit into a busy schedule.

The parenting section of my local bookstore contains several shelves of workbooks designed for parents who want to help their kids with schoolwork. The books are nothing more than page after depressing page of the same dull exercises most kids get plenty of already in school. I assume they must be selling well, or the store would not order so many of them. But looking at those workbooks makes me want to cry. I think it is wonderful that parents want to help their children do well in school, but the parents who buy those books are getting cheated (and so are their children). The last thing kids who are struggling need is more worksheets. And they are even less useful for kids who are ahead of the curriculum and need more challenges.The games in this book provide an antidote to the worksheet pushers. I am a huge fan of Peggy Kaye's books (She has three more in this series: Games for Reading, Games for Writing, and Games for Math, and all of them are excellent). Whether you are trying to find a way to help a child who is behind in a certain subject or skill, or looking for challenges for a kid who is ahead, this book has some fun ways to help. The best thing is that she has several games for every skill, because she recognizes that children like different things and learn in different ways. So if a game for a skill you are working on falls flat with your child, there are plenty more to try. A few of the games require a little investment of your time, like making playing cards or game boards, but a lot you can do without any advance preparation, and several are so no-fuss they are perfect for car trips, or time spent in a waiting room.This is a first rate book, the best of its kind by far.

Whether you are tutoring, a classroom teacher, homeschooling, or a parent you will find this, and Kaye's other books, chock-full of great ideas to enhance learning. The best part is how FUN these activities are and how easy she has made it for you to implement them with any child.

I'm a very busy mom of four kids. I've read lots of this type of books and ususally came away feeling like a failure for not doing all of those complicated or time consuming activities to help my children. This book is GREAT! The activities are quick and easy and require few materials. (usually pencil and paper, cards, dice etc.) This are also quick distractors for in the car, at church or while stuck in a waiting room. If you only buy one book, buy this one!

This book has many helpful, fun and task specific activities that work for children during their most formative years. I have found this book to be invaluable. The games are beneficial for teaching and reinforcing specific skills, and they are entertaining enough to keep kids interested. Most of all, the games really work! The games don't take much time or extreme effort, but they pay off extremely well. If you are the parent or teacher of young children, you will find yourself referring to this book again and again.