A new study has revealed that spending just a few minutes playing board games can deliver long-term cognitive benefits for the brain, particularly in young children.
The research, conducted at the University of Oregon in the United States, reviewed 18 different studies examining the relationship between board games and early mathematics skills among children from preschool to second grade.
Findings showed that when children played number-based board games—moving pieces along a linear number path—their numerical and math-related abilities improved by up to 76 percent.
One of the study’s authors, Gina Nelson, said researchers chose this topic because early math skills are strongly linked to academic success later in school life. She added that number board games are simple to play, widely accessible, and easily available for purchase, making them an effective and practical learning tool for children.
