Mental Health in Primary Schools

Games Matter!

Who remembers playing UNO, Jenga, Battleship or Monopoly with their siblings and family members? I know I do. Getting off screens and building relationships with family and friends is a huge part of human interaction and has HUGE benefits!

Playing games with your child builds strong emotional bonds, fosters open communication, and helps them develop essential life skills like problem-solving, empathy, and resilience. It provides a safe space for them to learn about winning, losing, and managing their feelings. Teaching my own daughter how to win gracefully and lose without 'losing it' started off challenging, and at first it wasn’t fun for her or me, but after the tears came key teaching experiences. She’s now able to lose and not feel sad. She’s able to enjoy the game, win or lose! And I LOVE spending time playing games together. It’s one of my favourite things and when she eventually leaves the nest, I will miss these moments. You don’t want to look back and think I should have played and interacted with my child more. Time flies. 

Why Play Matters

• Deepens Attachment: Sharing fun experiences tells your child they are valued and loved, which promotes a secure attachment and builds trust.

• Enhances Cognitive Growth: Board games, puzzles, and interactive play stimulate the brain, sharpening focus, memory, and spatial reasoning.

• Builds Social Skills: Play teaches the fundamentals of sharing, taking turns, negotiating, and resolving conflicts.

• Develops Emotional Intelligence: Games provide a low-stakes environment to experience frustration, disappointment, and success, helping children learn self-regulation and resilience

So what are you waiting for? Go and grab a board game, dust off the UNO cards or get the chess pieces ready!