Monopoly Lessons – 3 Ways Monopoly Will Make Your Kids Smarter

Curious about the Monopoly lessons your kids can learn from playing this game? Here are 3 ways the game Monopoly will help your kids be smarter and wiser.

We have all played Monopoly at some stage in our lives, especially as kids.

But many of us may not realize the real significance of playing this game.

Here’s the thing: playing Monopoly is more than just a fun way to pass the time.

This board game also teaches us some important economic, academic and social lessons.

Here in this post we will look at all the great things that playing Monopoly can do for you.

Economic Lessons of Monopoly

1 – Make smart investments.

Much of the game is landing on property squares you can decide to buy.

If you invest wisely and improve your property, you’ll be raking in rent money later on.

2 – Build reserve funds.

On the other hand, you have to hold on to some of your cash.

You’ll need it when you land in jail or have to pay taxes.

3 – Understand the role of luck.

Just like in real life, you can quickly go from riches to bankruptcy.

Take advantage of valuable opportunities and be ready for setbacks.

Know that you often make your own luck by being diligent and shrewd.

4 – Take risks.

Strategic risks will improve your position.

Consider the trade-offs and put your money to the best use.

5 – Play banker.

Take turns playing banker.

You’ll learn valuable financial management skills and get familiar with terminology like deeds and rent.

Academic Lessons of Monopoly

1 – Start with number recognition.

Even small kids can join in.

They’ll learn to recognize numbers by counting the dots on the dice and identifying different denominations of money.

Counting out loud makes it easier for them.

2 – Improve your arithmetic.

Computers do most of the arithmetic for us these days.

Try doing some calculations in your head or on paper.

3 – Practice reading.

Community Chest and Chance spaces provide time to polish reading skills.

Assign kids the jobs of reading them out loud to everybody.

4 – Increase your attention span.

Some games can last four hours or more.

Develop your patience and extend your ability to focus.

5 – Challenge yourself online.

If your loved ones already know all your tricks, play online with new contestants.

Pitting yourself against experts will improve your game and keep your education going.

Social Lessons of Monopoly

1 – Spend time with family and friends.

Sharing time together is the foundation for any strong relationship.

Turn off the television and focus on each other and the game.

Aim to have fun and encourage everyone to feel appreciated.

2 – Follow the rules.

Games like Monopoly remind us to follow instructions.

Creative play is great but kids also need to be prepared to obey directions in school and in the workplace.

3 – Make your own rules.

There’s also room for adapting the rules to your own situation.

Let kids win sometimes to boost their self esteem.

Adapt the rules to shorten the game when you need to.

4 – Negotiate effectively.

Much of Monopoly is wheeling and dealing.

Take turns with the Scottie Dog if everyone wants him for their token.

We need to negotiate right before we even start playing this game.

5 – Bounce back from adversity.

Here’s the thing about Monopoly – it isn’t all fun and games.

You may wind up going bankrupt or even land in jail.

There are temporary obstacles but these can be overcome.

When you’re down on your luck, hang in there until you work your way back up.

6 – Win graciously.

In the end there can only be one winner.

Thank the other players if you come out victorious and accept their congratulations with style.

Offer a rematch so they get a chance to win too.

7 – Lose like a winner.

Only one person can triumph in each game so you also need to accept defeat.

Give the champ a pat on the back and offer to help clean up.

Think about how you can improve your performance the next time.

So there you have it: now we all know a good game of Monopoly can last for hours.

But consider it time well spent when you consider how it helps you learn to play with others, improve your math skills, and manage your finances.

Encourage your kids to play this game often as there is so much to be learned from it.

Here’s how life is like Monopoly.

When playing the game everyone knows you have to invest in order to become wealthy and win the game.

The person who can accumulate the most assets wins the game.

In real life most people are just moving around the board and only passing “goâ€.

That’s what happens when you live paycheck to paycheck and don’t invest.

Take the risk or lose the chance.

Do what you learned as a kid, my friend!

Monopoly has a lot of great lessons to teach us.

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