First there was the rolling of the dice, which involves counting each "pip"(dot)- OR, just seeing the whole number, which is an important skill in itself! Next, you must add the 2 dice. I work with many kids throughout elementary (up to Gr. 7!) who still struggle with adding single digits by memory. Below I have listed a few different levels of understanding around adding the dice- and how you can lead them along the continuum.
Then there is all the handling of money. Oh the things you can work on...! It gets me giddy! (See below for concepts)!
Monopoly is not unique- most board games require adding dice and moving squares. The earlier you practice these skills, the more familiar they are with it when they see it in school!
The great thing about games is that they add an element of fun and competition. So much of learning is dependent on motivation! My son quickly learned the joy of collecting $200 when passing go, and the frustration when he had to pay it out. On the next turn, when he had to pay $4 rent- it was no big deal. Then, because clearly he doesn't understand chance and logic, he put most of his money into buying a hotel on the Boardwalk-equivalent in the Pokemon version. Of course I landed on it on my next turn, and had to pay him $1700, which completely bankrupted me. Lessons were learned!
In addition to Monopoly, The Game Of Life is a good one for using money as well. Between gift cards, Paypal, iTunes and debit cards, kids just don't have enough exposure to money any more! (Oh wow- did I just make a "kids these days..." statement?)
Parents, when you are playing board games with your kids, look for/ encourage these things to increase your child's math sense and ability. You may need to build up to some of these concepts over time:
DICE:
- try to see the number without counting each dot. The big math word for it is subitizing.
- add the 2 dice using adding strategies
- try to correct them if they are starting at the first dice and counting each pip. For example, a 5 and 3 are rolled (and recognized). Then, the child starts over and begins counting the 5 again as part of the adding 5+3. Initially, this is important in their development to count each dot, but eventually, kids should know that there was already a 5- (they knew it was a 5!) so they need to start counting on from 5. It is easier and more efficient to always start with the higher number
- point out doubles and numbers that make 10 (4&6, 5&5). These are great to learn as part of their quick recall!
- Point out that 7 is the most common number to roll on 2 dice. What are the combinations? 1&6, 2&5, 3&4, 6&1, 5&2, 4&3. Did you know these numbers are always on opposite sides of the dice from each other?
- counting your spaces to move forward. It is SO important for kids to learn that they don't count the square they are on. I always explain it as counting the jumps, not the squares. This skill becomes critical when understanding number lines - a foundational tool we use often in math.
MONEY:
- First, I would work on recognizing and ordering the various denominations. Realizing that $100 or $10 are very different numbers is important- in math, and in the game! Even sorting the money and putting in order is a great initial skill to learn.
- Though your child may not be able to be the banker, you can work on handing out and counting money together.
- count by 10's, 20's, 50's
- add hundreds first, then tens, and ones. (it seems simple to us, but may need some modeling). $325- How do we make $300? $20? $5?
- Show the connection between 2+5=7 and 20+50=70.
- Find/show different ways you could make an amount:
- $80- 50, 30, 10 or 4x20
- What if you ran out of 20's? What could you trade in? How many would you get?
- Making change- when they are ready, see if they can figure out how much they (or you) should get back. Try starting at the number they owed, and count up to the number they paid.
Depending on the grade level, these skills might take a (primary) teacher 1- 3 months of class time to cover! What a great way to work on improving number sense and fluency, while having some fun together. And nothing is better than bankrupting you on a 1 in 40 chance of landing on Boardwalk with the only hotel on the board! :P
