Board Games

How old does a kid have to be to play a board game? And how long does one have to endure "no, put that back" or "it's not your turn yet" and "come back here with those pieces" before you can actually get down to playing a game?

I would seriously, love me some CandyLand if I could figure out how to explain how to play to Lala, while keeping the cuddler from running off with various pieces.

Also, I need to read books more often.

What brought this on? A school week where I got to see the difference between how my remedial class and my advanced students play with language. It really brought home the impact parents have on the educational/academic abilities of their children. I know it's politically popular to blame teachers for all the nation's ills lately, but an involved parent will just about beat any obstacle society throws at a kid. I want mine to beat the odds.