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Games

Chutes and Ladders

Primary Category: Physical/Sensory Motor Development

Subcategories: Attention Span, Fine Motor Skills, Crossing Midline, Emotional Regulation

Description of how the game can be used to fit the categories: Chutes and Ladders is a fun game that helps players develop their attention span. As the game is played with 2-4 players, the player must sit and still pay attention to the game even when they are not actively spinning the spinner or moving their game piece. The game itself can take a while to play, so if the player can attend to the game without being distracted or leattaving the game for a set amount of time, the game can be used to gradually improve their attention span. The ultimate goal would be for the player to attend to the entire game. Fine motor skills can be practiced while playing this game when the player spins the spinner and moves their game piece on the board. Both of these activities require movements of the fingers and hands that practice fine motor skills. Crossing midline can be practiced by playing this game by requiring the player to reach across the middle of their body to move their game pieces. For example, if their game piece was on the left side of the board, they would have to use their right hand and arm to grab the piece. By playing the game like this, it can practice having the player cross the midline. Emotional regulation can be practiced by playing this game because this game is a game of chance that you can either get lucky and excel or get unlucky and have to move significantly far back on the board. If the player becomes upset after having to go down a chute, emotional regulation skills can be practiced with the player so they can develop a healthy response to adverse situations.