It has always been a good way to kill ten minutes, but honestly, for a developing mind, it’s also a powerhouse for learning

By Dr. Christine Powell, ADHD Expert & Executive Functioning Specialist

With schools increasingly relying on personal computers, it’s easy to think that real learning needs an academic app or a complicated digital course. Yet, deep learning tools have been around for a while. Remember the game Connect 4? A stand up plastic contraption with checker pieces that takes 2 minutes to set up and five minutes to win a round. The winner being the player who connects four pieces of the same color in a row. It’s an Interactive game and requires opponents to sit across a table, and focus on their next move.

It has always been a good way to kill ten minutes, but honestly, for a developing mind, it’s also a powerhouse for learning. When your child is looking at that grid, they are trying to strategize getting four in a row; as well as practicing focus and analysis, spotting patterns, and weighing the consequences of every move. That’s foundational critical thinking, and it’s happening in real time without a screen.

Winning a game of Connect 4 means you have to predict your opponent’s next step and plan several moves into the future. That kind of forward-thinking is important for developing executive functions, like managing homework, organizing projects, and solving real-life problems. One of the best things about this simple game is that it provides opportunities for kids to learn to roll with the punches. When an opponent makes a surprising move, your child can’t just freeze; they have to quickly scrap their old plan and create a new one. This builds adaptability and resilience, teaching them that when things don’t go as planned, you just adjust and try again which is a useful a life skill.

Now playing Connect 4 is simple and this invites younger children to join in. What better way to foster a low-stakes environment for some healthy competition. And when things don’t go as planned, they learn how to stay calm when they’re about to lose, how to celebrate a win gracefully, and how to communicate respectfully when there’s a disagreement over a move. They’re also giving their memory and ability to focus a serious workout, all in the name of fun.

So, my advice as an Education Therapist is simple: don’t underestimate the impact of simple, strategic game. You don’t need to buy the latest tech trend. Just a classic game that offers a complete developmental workout, strengthening analytical thinking, boosting emotional maturity, and sharpening focus. And don’t forget the quality time spent interacting with another player. It’s a simple investment in your child’s well-rounded success. Plus, you probably already have one sitting around gathering dust.