Justin Holladay: I'm a Math Teacher and now iOS Game designer, I have a passion for helping students reinforce essential math skills which has led me in attaining my B.Ed. and B.A.S. in Mathematics/Science from the University of Lethbridge.

When I'm not in the classroom sharing mymath apps or collaborating with teachers on new ways to implement best practices using the math games, I'm in my secret lab developing and designing new printable math games to be utilized in the classroom.

6 Benefits of Math Games for Kids

There's more to math than 2+2, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that interactive math games for kids will have a bigger impact on your students than just improving their ability to add. Here are six tangible, real-world benefits of math games that you could be taking advantage of today.

1. Math Games Help with Problem Solving Skills

It's the lament of math teachers worldwide that students would rather be kicking a soccer ball than memorizing their multiplication tables. If you incorporate the same numbers into games, challenges and word problems, however, you'll turn the exercise on its head and give them a reason to care. Cool math games for kids will entice them to learn much more than cut-and-dry lessons.

2. Math Games Help with Better Cooperation

The most fun math games for kids are the ones where students work together in teams to reach a common goal. In addition to making math an exciting, enjoyable subject with the thrill of competition, group games will also encourage sharing, communication and cooperation among peers. They'll have to talk to each other and strategize together to win.

3. Math Games Help with Critical Thought

Speaking of strategy, math games are one of the best ways to open a child's mind to higher-level thinking. For example, budgeting or financial games will require them to think ahead and plan for the future. Factoring games (free) will force them to consider multiple solutions before deciding on the best one. They'll need to think sideways, creatively, instead of just tackling problems head-on, and this is a skill that will benefit them for their entire lives.

4. Math Games Help with Stronger Academic Performance Overall

Math games improve more than just counting. For example, printable math games for kids will also require them to read, write and comprehend words, so they'll be boosting their literacy skills while also developing their mathematical ones. All of the important thinking areas of the brain will be fully engaged.

5. Math Games Help with Improved Self-Confidence

Many students are insecure about their math skills. They tend to internalize their failures or buy into stereotypes like "I'm never going to get it" or "I'm too much of a girl to be good at math." Math games can help reverse these attitudes and perceptions. With every win, the child will have more and more faith that they can understand math, and this confidence will seep into their other subjects too.

6. Math Games Help with Added Value to Math as a Subject

If you're an algebra teacher, you've probably heard this one before: "But what am I going to do with it?" Math games will ensure that children never ask this question. They'll have seen and applied math to a variety of subjects, problems and events throughout their early childhood education, so they'll grow up understanding how useful and necessary it is.

These are just a few of the benefits you'll enjoy when you incorporate math games into the classroom. You don't have to break the bank for them, either. You can find plenty of low-cost and free math games for kids in my TPT store. Good luck! Happy counting!

One of my iOS math apps Jack and the Beanstalk a Mathematical Adventure is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award!

My websites (MathFileFolderGames.com) is among the HomeSchool.com Top 100 Educational Websites of 2016!

:)

Oh, I also strongly believe that math games are a great tool to involve parents, guardians, siblings and other important people in the child's life. It is a great way to facilitate the home and school connection.

www.mathfilefoldergames.com

Also follow me on Facebook.com/MathFileFolderGames

Math should be fun!!