It has been said that a child’s brain is like a sponge. The younger the child is, the better the rate of absorption because his brain is in the developmental stage. Children are highly inquisitive creatures, extremely curious in nature and are always looking out for things to do. Therefore, the onus is on parents to ensure that a child receives such stimulus so that the child grows up to be quick-witted and always keen to learn.

It is imperative that this is done in the early stage of a child’s life in order to instil good values in the child. Once a child’s brain has been programmed for creative thinking, the child will always want to challenge himself to perform better.

Playing brain games is not an expensive hobby. On the contrary, it offers many hours of brain stimulation. For example, a simple eight-sided cubic ball with different shapes and with objects of different colours as well, is quite enough to encourage a child to use his thinking cells on how to fit the different shapes into the main cubic ball.

Some parents may disagree and profess that the television is a better teacher for the child but one has to realise that the television only provides moving pictures which the child can absorb readily. However, the television does not allow the child to use his brain cells to think out the problems and to find solutions.

Studies have shown that children who are exposed to brain games at an early age tend to be faster and more agile in their thinking as opposed to children who are not. The disadvantage to such children is rather sad as the child will be slow in pick-up and in thought as well.

Brain games are not only limited to jigsaw puzzles and other hands-on items, but is inclusive of computer games as well. Computer games are normally fast moving and require a lot of concentration, loads of attention and thinking skills to get past the many stages in the games. This encourages the child to do his best to try to beat the computer and complete the games. Studies have also shown that children who are exposed to computer games at an early age are more confident, active and score better grades in school.

The cheapest form of brain game is chess. Chess is a strategy game and it challenges the player to strategise and plan moves to outwit the opponent in the shortest time possible. It has been documented that children as young as two years old have been known to play this game as well. Children who play chess regularly are very sharp in their thinking as the game primes the brain to act quickly and be very flexible.

Having said that, brain games are, without a doubt, the best games for children to play as it brings out the best in them.

Chew Kim Cheng