The Bedtime Routine That Taught My 3-year-old Self Control!
Edward Huang, Chief Product Officer at Story Time Learning, taking over the blog today!
I wanted to share a perhaps unorthodox quirk in my son's bedtime routine that has been instrumental in teaching him self-control. I kid you not, we play Story Time Backgammon.
Update: Story Time Backgammon has just been recognized as a finalist for Toy of the Year in the Educational Game category (please click and vote for us!).
The Magic of Backgammon: More Than Just a Game
Remember those wooden backgammon sets at your grandparents' house? With the ugly triangles? This classic game offers a treasure trove of developmental benefits that align perfectly with a toddler's growing mind. Here are 4 benefits to playing backgammon every day.
The board has been reimagined as a swashbuckling adventure between pirates and vikings!
1. Early Math Skills (Without the Worksheets!)
Let's be honest – no three-year-old wants to sit down with flash cards. But move some pieces around a beautiful board, and suddenly they're:
- Counting spaces naturally
- Recognizing numbers on dice
- Understanding basic addition as they move pieces
- Developing pattern recognition skills
The beauty is that it all happens through play. When it's almost time to head to the bath, I ask my son what he'd like to play. Without fail, he wants to play backgammon. My son doesn't realize he's building critical mathematical foundations – he was just having a blast with me.
2. Building That Famous "Executive Function"
I keep hearing experts talk about developing “executive function” in kids. Let’s break that down - here’s what they mean:
- Impulse control
- Planning ability
- Working memory
- Flexibility in thinking
Backgammon naturally strengthens all of these skills. As my 3-year-old learns to wait his turn, plan his next move, or adapt when the dice doesn't roll his way (!), he’s developing self-control, which will set him up for success in school and life.
I kid you not, my son is growing in self-regulation and the whole family is happier for it. This means fewer meltdown and tantrums, which I’m sure all parents would be grateful for.
3. Emotional Intelligence in Action
In our screen-heavy world, face-to-face interaction is more valuable than ever. Backgammon creates a special space where my child:
- Practices reading facial expressions
- Learns to manage excitement and disappointment
- Develops empathy by observing others' reactions
- Builds confidence through mastery
In a post-covid world, these social-emotional skills are crucial for future relationships and success in school settings. Specifically, I do not let my son win so that I can teach him resilience. I walk him through each loss so he learns that it’s ok to lose and it's ok to feel disappointed. I wish my parents taught me that at a young age when the stakes are super low.
4. Fine Motor Skills Development
Those little fingers moving pieces across the board are doing important work:
- Strengthening hand-eye coordination
- Developing pincer grip (essential for writing later)
- Improving spatial awareness
- Building manual dexterity
Unlike many digital activities, backgammon offers tangible, physical interaction that's crucial for developing minds and bodies. Don’t get me wrong, there will be times when my 3 year old bumps pieces into each other or accidentally clears half the board with an accidental kick, but we celebrate that he’s developing in the right direction.