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Games To Encourage Thinking Skills
By Steve Hall

There is no doubt about it, using computer games is a great way to encourage children to expand their realm of thinking. Your options for entertaining your child may seem numbered. Many people allow their children to spend quite a bit of time in front of the television. But, what good does that do? If you want them to learn something while they are zoned out, you are completely lost. But, if you flip on the computer, download a great game, you may actually be able to encourage them to learn more and you will encourage good thinking skills as well.

Thinking is not something that everyone can do well. Now, we are referring here to the thought process that goes along with solving problems. For many children, this is something they struggle with. Mom or Dad always takes care of the problems. If something isn’t right, just call mom or dad. Even on the television, that is full of real life and imaginary “problems” that need to be solved, there is no encouragement for children to come up with the solution. What happens then? They just sit and watch and let someone else handle the problem.

But, what happens when they are older or in a situation where they have to solve the problem at hand? Do they know how to analyze their thoughts, ideas, and to find the right solution? Many don’t. But, if you would like your child to be the one who does know how to flip the switch on and solve the problem, consider allowing them to sit in front of the computer as opposed to the television.

Okay, so too much time in front of the computer isn’t much better, but there are ways to you make what time you do allow them to sit at the computer to be good times. This is you simply need to maximize what they are doing. There are several good games out there that can be used to stimulate thinking in children. For many people, this is the perfect way to go to encourage children to learn how to solve problems without letting them in on it! Yes, because games are fun, the child will not fight you on playing them. Much unlike a lesson plan, this way seems to encourage children to come back to the game time and time again, therefore getting the experiences they need to learn a thing or two.

But, what are these games? What are the options that are out there for your child? There are many games, and although we will only talk about a few here, find ones that will work well with your child. What are his or her likes and dislikes? Sports? Television characters? Perhaps they enjoy space or under water adventures. Search out those games that will intrigue them as well as encourage them to think.

Some to consider include Big Thinkers Kindergarten and the series of Freddi Fish Adventures as well as many other childrens games. These are mainly for younger children, but you’ll find many more for older children as well. In fact, consider giving your older kids more puzzle related games to help them along this course as well.

When you give your child the gift of being a problem solver, they will work through the situations that happen to them, big and small, without fear of not knowing how to handle them. They will be more likely to do well in the real world then. What’s more is that you can feel good about all that time they spend in front of the tube (even though it’s the computer not the television!)

About the Author

Steve is a member of the GrandMatrix team who provide a broad range of games, puzzles and articles. Read more articles, download and play the latest PC games for free and play thousands of user submitted puzzles, quizzes and word games at: GrandMatrix Free Game Downloads

Sudoku One Of The Hot New Games
By Jerry Cahill

Sudoku has become one of the most popular puzzle games of all times. It is an old puzzle that has been around forever. However it has recently been marketed as Sudoku and is being done by everyone. In fact I was recently on a plane and an entire row of passengers were all doing Sudoku puzzles.

This past year a combination of five Sudoku puzzle books combined to out sell one of the big best selling books in the book marketplace. More puzzle books are being plublished on a regular basis. Almost every daily newspaper now features a Suduko puzzle right next to it’s customary crossword puzzle. Often times, the Sudoku puzzle gets attention before the traditional crossword puzzle. One can even by electronic pocket sized Sudoku games.

Sudoku is a puzzle made up of nine cubes featuring nine squares in each cube. These nine cubes combine to make nine rows and nine columns. The puzzle game is sometimes referred to as nine x nine. The goal to complete the puzzle is quite simple. You must use the numbers 1-9 only once in each cube, once in each row, and once in each column.

Each Sudoku puzzle starts with some of the numbers already entered into the puzzle. Depending on how many numbers are pre-entered and the placement of these numbers determine the difficult level of the Sudoko puzzle. Ratings of difficulty are often rated from 1 star (easy) to 6 stars (very difficult). Some puzzle creators just call them light, easy, hard, very difficult etc. Other puzzle creators have applied martial art terms such as white, brown, green and black belt.

If you have never tried a Sudoko puzzle be sure to start with an easy level. If you buy a puzzle book they are clearly labeled. If you look in a daily newspaper you would normally find the easiest puzzles at the beginning of the week. Starting with an easy level will help you to develop your puzzle strategy as well as minimizing your frustration level in the beginning.

The basic strategy that many people use is to go through each number and try to fill in as many of these as the puzzle allows by looking up and down the rows and columns to see where a number has to be placed. If you work your way up from number one through nine, be sure to consider going through this process again and the first time through may have determined some numbers not identifiable the first time through. Next look at the cubes to see which number in a cube may prevent that number from being used in a particular row or column you are trying to solve. Finally try to train your mind to see all nine squares in a row, column or cube. By doing so you will quickly be able to identify the missing number needed in each of these areas. Get started playing now!