Games are the perfect way to enhance learning through play at home.

From counting to spelling fun, educational games can help parents build and boost their child’s confidence at school. Whether it’s practising their numbers or letters, or helping to develop their memory and matching skills, playing a game is a great way to keep little brains motivated and develop confident little learners.

Play is an essential part of children’s learning and development, and the more fun they’re having the more likely they are to retain that knowledge, which helps make learning a rewarding and enjoyable experience. The chances are children will have no idea they’re learning something new, or brushing up on a skill, whilst playing a game!  

Our ethos of ‘Learning Made Fun’ is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring our games and jigsaws strike the perfect balance of education and fun, and it’s what we’ve been doing for 50 years. We work closely with educational advisors, teachers and children when designing our games to ensure they’re age appropriate, educationally sound and, most importantly, fun – which is why our games are loved by teachers, parents and children!

Here are 5 top tips on how games help build your child’s learning confidence!

1) Keep it fun and relaxed

Playing games in a relaxed home environment is a great way to make learning fun, and engaging your child will ensure they’ll want to play time and time again.

2) Make sure to participate

Playing a family game means you can get involved in your child’s learning. Not only can you spend fun time with your kids, but you get to teach them and help with their education. 

3) Reinforce

Use fun games at home to reinforce what your child is learning at preschool, try Orchard Toys Catch and Count (3yrs+), a fun and simple game that encourages counting. 

4) Spelling and reading 

Spelling and reading is at the heart of all learning and key to unlocking other subject areas, play a spelling-based game for a fun way to help your child practise, such as Orchard Toys Match and Spell (4yrs+). 

5) It’s a learning journey!

When it comes to teaching your kids, there’s no one size fits all, or a right or wrong way, so pick games that work for you and your family – and take a lead from your child.  Whatever game they’re playing it will be helping to develop their social skills too. 

Associating learning with fun and positivity from a young age will spark a passion for learning that your child will carry with them throughout their school life and beyond.

For more info, look at www.orchardtoys.com  @OrchardToys

What is your kids favourite educational game?  Let us know in the comments below!