Card games are a popular form of entertainment and are open to everyone. No matter your age, gender or level of education: anyone can play. And, as it turns out, it is worth playing as often as possible, because playing these types of games can bring us tangible benefits. What benefits? Read this article and you will find the answer!
Card games prevent our brains from stagnating. They are effective in stimulating the mind and improving short-term memory - it is not uncommon to have to remember events that take place during a game or, simply, the position of the cards themselves. In this case, it is particularly worth looking out for memory games, which incidentally have a beneficial effect on long-term memory. In addition, some titles sharpen visual memory. The best example here is the well-known solitaire game.
What's more, card games are a great workout for the mind, which stimulates our cells - if you've ever played poker, you've probably found that out many times. What's more, if you don't want to lose at any card game, you need to think. Just understanding the rules of some games requires logical thinking - such as in the case of a thousand. With this form of entertainment, you can also learn to make connections between facts.
Benefits of card games - positive effects on the brain
In order to win a card game, it is necessary to concentrate properly on the game. The ability to concentrate is extremely important, especially as it can be difficult to master in childhood. However, it is worth working on it as early as possible - it will certainly pay off in the future. It should also be mentioned that card games teach us patience. Patience is gained at increasingly higher levels of play (e.g. in titles such as solitaire or mahjong). When we manage to pass them, we gain great satisfaction in the process. It is also important that card games teach us to draw constructive conclusions and to analyse the reasons for failures.
Advantages of card games - valuable concentration and patience skills
Regular use of card games delays the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. What's more, it slows down the development of this type of condition, card games proving particularly useful in the early stages of the aforementioned diseases. This property of theirs was discovered by researchers who carried out a study at the American Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute. Furthermore, they proved that this form of activity increases brain volume. The researchers are currently investigating whether card games are also effective in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Benefits of card games for neurodegenerative diseases
According to research, card games help to build up the so-called cognitive reserve. This term refers to the knowledge and mental skills that allow you to remain mentally fit in old age if you played card games when you were young! The greater this reserve is, the less age-related damage is caused.
People who have played long before retirement have better cognitive abilities, i.e. the ability to acquire knowledge and use it in real life, such as perceiving stimuli, sense perception, memory, attention, behavioural control and reasoning. Games that require intensive thinking and engagement, such as bridge, are great here. If you know older people who spend time playing this game, you have probably noticed that they think clearly and very logically.
Benefits of card games - a better condition of the mind in old age
There is no doubt that card games are a great way to spend time with family or friends. This in turn allows you to build relationships and keep in touch with your loved ones. It is worth spending time in this way, for example, with children who love all kinds of games. Toddlers can play card games from the age of 3! Even at this stage, it is possible to understand the rules of simple games such as memory games, which involve matching cards in pairs. For adults, on the other hand, it is a great way to pass the time during long winter evenings and at various parties and social gatherings. Evenings spent playing card games together can also become a special family tradition, which also strengthens the bond between parents and children.
Card games as a way to build relationships
As it turns out, card games can be played by everyone, including people with disabilities. It is not only great entertainment for them, but also a learning aid. Thanks to it, people with all kinds of illnesses can learn to identify numbers, shapes and patterns. Matching games, among others, will work well for them. Titles that teach how to perform basic mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. may also be of interest. When it comes to patients with mental deficits, card games also have a positive impact on their social skills. They are often an important part of rehabilitation for such patients.
Benefits of card games - a great help for people with disabilities
Playing card games regularly is a great lesson in planning (your own moves), anticipating (your opponent's moves) and achieving your goals. It often requires the development of a strategy. Playing card games also exercises attentiveness, perceptiveness and a sense of observation - in the case of poker, for example, it is important to pick up on the subtle signals sent by players - both those intended to communicate between players and those sent to confuse others. In this way, players can learn to recognise the intentions of others, to be creative in finding constructive solutions and to think analytically.
Playing card games - a lesson in planning and anticipation
Another benefit of card games is that they can improve wellbeing. This is because they often trigger the release of endorphins, or happiness hormones. In the event of a win, they provide a feeling of empowerment, and the child can then more easily believe in his or her own abilities. It is an enjoyable form of stimulation that allows you to relax and calm down, while lowering stress levels.
Benefits of card games - improving wellbeing
Using card games can also contribute to broadening knowledge about, for example, different nations or cultures. It also makes it possible to learn new vocabulary - not only in Polish, but also in foreign languages. It is not uncommon for card games to enhance players' maths and science skills. Due to the huge variety of this type of games, they can be selected individually to the player's interests. Card games are also a great opportunity for interesting conversations, e.g. about what is happening in the world. In addition, the biggest fans of games read books on possible strategies, study the game and try to learn new skills from seasoned players.
Card games as a way to broaden knowledge
It is worth expanding a little on the subject of mathematics itself. As it turns out, card games can be the start of a great adventure with the queen of sciences. In this case, cards offer thousands of possibilities. For example, if your toddler doesn't yet know the numbers, you can count the individual cards out loud together with him. What's more, you can ask your child how many cards he or she has made a tower out of or how many cards the toddler has in his or her deck. Furthermore, because the standard cards show different numbers, this helps the child to consolidate his mathematical knowledge. In addition, if the child catches the mathematical bug at a young age, he or she will enjoy playing e.g. in a thousand.
Card games as a start to an adventure in mathematics
Playing card games frequently also teaches children how to manage their emotions. This is especially important for children, who need to learn to lose with the class and to win without feeling superior to others. People who play cards often know well that things can be different during games and that they do not grow feathers after beating their opponents. Both of these skills are therefore very important and will certainly also be useful in real life, in contact with peers. Card games also teach composure - players do not become discouraged over time, for example when they lose or are dealt weaker cards. What's more, they then try to create a new game plan that - despite a worse streak - will help them win. And when they receive better cards, they try to make the most of the opportunity given to them.
Playing card games and learning to manage one's emotions
When playing card games, children learn to co-operate in a group - playing together is also great training in interpersonal skills and some savoir-vivre. In some games, there is also a code of honour or rules of politeness with which every participant should be familiar. In addition, toddlers learn the principles of fair play and positive competition. This makes it easier for them to find their way in different social situations. In addition, card games have the advantage that they can be taken anywhere. They can easily fit into any rucksack or handbag, so they can also be played outside in the park, at the beach or even in the playground (unless there is a strong wind).
Card games and group cooperation
Have you noticed that your child spends too much time in front of the screen? If so, it's a good idea to encourage them to play other forms of entertainment, such as card games. As it turns out, the youngest children spend several hours a week in front of smartphones, tablets or computers, while teenagers spend up to 30 hours! What is more, experts recommend that children aged between 7 and 12 should use the computer for a maximum of 60 minutes a day, and children aged between 3 and 7 should use it for 30 minutes a day. This is worth bearing in mind.
Card games - a great alternative to the computer and smartphone
Dreaming of your own card game, with your own rules? Or do you want to give a classic card game a slightly different setting? In either case, we will be happy to help you! As Puzzle Factory, we are in the business of creating this type of game. All you have to do is present us with your idea and we will do the rest. We will work with you to create an attractive graphic design and choose the right materials to make the whole thing look great. Do you have any questions? Would you like to find out more? If so, contact us!