Board Games Help Children Read and Develop Social Skills

Redwood City has several areas where a majority of the third graders are not proficient at reading. This is a key indicator of their future success in school. So what, as parents and guardians, can we do to help our children? Reading to them at an early age is critical. There are other ways, however, like playing board games together that give children a chance to learn early literacy skills such as number and letter identification, colors, beginning words, and basic instructions as well as social skills such as taking turns, learning how to win and lose, teamwork, and much more! The Redwood City Library, working with the Redwood City Library Foundation and the Youth Literacy Council, have done a lot to offer free programs to the public to increase the reading rates of our children. One of these free programs will occur this Saturday, November 18th from 2:00-4:00pm at the Downtown Library, 1044 Middlefield Rd. This day is free and allows the public to experience the fun of "unplugged" play with other children and families. Many old classic board games will be available like Chutes & Ladders, Battleship, Operation, Kerplunk, Sorry, Clue, Life, and Monopoly. Everyone will also have the opportunity to play with new ones like Apples to Apples, Blokus and many more. Snacks and Drinks will be provided. Events like the free Board Game Day for Families at the Redwood City Downtown Library will give everyone an opportunity to have fun while helping their children learn.