The Best Brain Games to Boost Brain Power

The early philosophers theorized that a child’s brain is like a tabula rasa, a clean slate ready to accommodate anything that is taught. They said that a child’s cognitive abilities, world views, interests, tastes and preferences are shaped by the experiences they come across. It is on this foundation that scientists based the argument that the brain should be tutored to accommodate more information at an early age. There are skills to expand and sharpen the brains and it is not mandatory that they be related to academics. To the young and old alike, there are numerous brain games that can expand your brain power as well as sharpen your memory.

1. Chess

Chess is one of the most popular games worldwide with a history that dates back to centuries. Indeed a contest of chess is usually seen as a congregation of top scientists as most of the top players have been found to have high IQ. The Machiavellian intelligence theory outlines how the brain evolves indicating that interactions early in life that require intense thinking contribute to the expansion of the orbital prefrontal Cortex, the section of the brain that is utilized in complex cognitive activities. It is along this line that scientists have concluded that playing chess from a tender age can contribute to a higher brain power than engaging in other physical activities. They also postulate that it is not the act of playing chess that increases the brain power but rather is the constant encounter of the challenges that characterize a chess game. It is hence important that you play the game with those that are better at it for adequate stimulation to occur.

2. Word games

There are tens of word games that have been found to increase brain power if introduced to young children at a young age. While they maybe a great source of entertainment for the old, it is the young who stand to benefit more as according to research brain power cannot be expanded after the age of 23 years. In the aged they serve the purpose of maintaining a sharper memory but do not have an impact on the brain development. Scrabble, basic word searches and crossword puzzles can be major boosters to the youngsters’ brains. The brain is one of the most complex organs in the body and while research is still ongoing on the impact of experiences and genetic factors on the level of IQ, there is unanimity that the outlined games aid in the cognitive process and also in imparting skills that will be used in day to day activities. Word games, in addition to improving the vocabulary of young children’ although infuse a sense of confidence in life.

3. Games of logic

Logic games will go a long way in enhancing your ability to judge, maneuver through challenges and as well as simplifying complex issues. A look at most teaching manuals indicates that they emphasize on giving young kids brain games that range from puzzles to riddles to aid in their cognitive abilities. Logic games can involve complex situations or calculations that only require simple solutions. They are challenging and require the individuals involved to look beyond the obvious or outside the box to get the answers. They also model youngsters to pay attention to details as well as teaching them to make conclusions based on logic rather than on emotions and guesswork.

4. Sudoku

After chess, Sudoku is one of the most researched brain games. Mathematics is rated highly as amongst the subjects that aid in the development of the brain as it requires intense use of logic and drawing inferences. Sudoku is similar to mathematics and science and is a form of brain exercise that improves the IQ. Ian Robertson, a world renowned expert of neuroscience conducted a research amongst the elderly that affirmed the importance of Sudoku towards infusing mental ability and power. The research involved two controlled groups with one being assigned to Sudoku puzzles while the rest undertook physical activities. The group assigned to Sudoku was found to have increased alertness and mental power. Experts have concurred with these findings adding that engaging in mind challenging games reduces the risk of Alzheimer and other related memory problems.

5. Video games

Video games have become the craze nowadays. Immense studies have been conducted to ascertain their impact on the society and especially to the young people. Sociologists focusing on the behaviors of those exposed to video games and TVs have decried their negative effect on the cognitive abilities of children. Over-exposure to video games has been blamed for violent tendencies with youngsters wishing to ape what they see on TV and video games. There are others that have blamed poor attendance and performance in schools on the increased video games. Instances of obesity have been blamed on video games as they reduce the amount of physical activities engaged in. it these factors that have built a negative perception on video and computer games but recent research has changed all that by ascertaining that there indeed exists benefits of boosting brain power. This research conducted in the University of Rochester confirmed that playing video games indeed increases brain power and can be a crucial way of bridging the gender gap that exists in crucial subjects such as mathematics and engineering. This is because these games enable children to be more attentive, improve their cognitive power and make appropriate decisions in life. Children who are more engorged in video games were found to be more alert, having a sharper vision and overall good drivers than those engaging in other physical activities. They also have a higher level of testosterone and were better in making apt decisions.

Indeed the myth of the negative impact of some of the popular brain games on children has been debunked by the several studies that have been conducted on the topic. The brain develops according to what one is exposed to. Engaging in highly challenging mental games is a major way of boosting brain power. Chess remains the undoubted champion when it comes to boosting brain power but the development of other games such as Sudoku and video games has brought to the table tens of options to choose from. Regardless of your age, a brain game a day will improve your brain power, your memory and alertness.