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Families That Play Together Stay Together

(And Learn, Too!)

By Kendeyl Johansen

Did you realize games like Candy Land teach kids valuable skills? Your children probably won't know they're learning while playing games, but moving pieces around game boards offer lessons in basic math, social interaction and more. This year, take a break from hectic holiday activities and sit down to play a game with your preschooler. You'll spend quality time together while painlessly teaching useful skills.

Psychologist Harriet Mosatche agrees. She started playing games with her two children early, modifying Boggle rules for her small daughter to make the game fun for everyone in her family. Mosatche encourages families to turn off the television and interact around a game board. "Common activities bring family members close," she says.

Some of Moog's best childhood memories are of playing games. "My brother had a very serious physical condition, which confined him to the house most of the time. We often invented games and played games together." After playing chess or Stratego, Moog would hand crutches to his brother, and they'd go raid the kitchen for chocolate cream pie and milk. To build similar happy memories with his 5-year-old daughter, Moog tries to begin each day with a quick game of lotto or Kids on Stage with her.

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