Game Changers: Nerul’s Kripa Shah Turns Playtime Into Life Skill Lessons | Fiile
Navi Mumbai kids are gradually getting acquainted with the concept of spending time with board games instead of remaining hooked to Virtual reality (VR) games or spending free time with gadgets.
In a first of its kind initiative undertaken by an educationist, children are now getting to experience the fun of playing board games.
The club named Game Changers- run by Nerul based Kripa Shah is an attempt to make play time not only about entertainment but also a means to develop life skills.
The club started from June 2024 onwards has currently around 20 patrons enrolled by parents keen on getting their children to imbibe the fun of playing board games. The club conducts this activity once a week on Saturdays with three batches.
“There is so much dependency on gadgets and electronics that the skills required for playing board games are not known to the current generation. Thus I decided to set up a club wherein the board games are curated according to the age and skills of the child. Ultimately the aim is to use these games as a means for developing their personality,” said the founder of the club.
The club operates from a studio space in Satra Plaza, Vashi and the games played are stated to develop planning, strategizing as well as team management among children. Some of the board games currently played are – Settlers of Catan- a game that requires player’s trade to procure the required resources. Another game that is often played is Ticket to ride – a board game exploring countries.
“Through these types of strategy based I intend to get children in decision making skills which are very crucial for their overall development. The ticket to ride game children are explained about various aspects of the country so in a way they also gain knowledge. I prepare a monthly schedule and parents select the number of Saturdays they will be able to send their wards,” said the founder.
Board games are stated to play a major role in increasing attention and making them focussed to a particular activity. “the club is not about just rolling dice or drawing cards, instead through this activity I have seen children developing team work , confidence building, importance of social interaction even the importance of being vocal without losing their temper or even saying ‘No” in times of need is taught,” said a parent Heeral Shah Doshi sending eight year old Yessica Doshi.
