Children at school are given plenty of opportunity to practise
learning, but perhaps not enough opportunities to practise
thinking.
Minibridge requires and develops a full
range of conscious thinking processes that will ultimately
lead to quicker, clearer and more effective young minds.
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Language and Communication
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Your head needs to be lifted and
you will be expected to justify your actions and will want to challenge
others on theirs - can you do this without causing undue stress or
build -up of tension? If you can, you will find social success much
easier later in life.
You have to be able to count to 40
to play the game meaningfully. You have to constantly count to 13 using
addition and subtraction operations as well as some inferential lateral
thinking.
You are required to observe the
play of different cards and retain information on which key cards have
been played and how many cards of a particular suit have been played.
You also need to retain and recall from working memory the information
about high cards announced before the card play begins. Assembling all
this information is vital in developing strategy and visualising the
patterns of play.
As well as key data handling, players need to plan the play of their
own cards, keep a record of tricks won/lost and stay focused on the
team target at all times.
Playing cooperatively with a
partner is essential to the positive outcomes in the game .
In order to observe detail and
retain important information, a high level of concentration is
required. Such levels of concentration will, of course, be invaluable
when they face school exams or other important tasks later on in life.
The outcome of a game may turn on
a decision which needs to be made quickly.
The game only makes sense if
targets are identified and goals are set. Achievement is based on
keeping focused on those goals just like in exams or in other life
challenges.
Losing is very much part of the
game - coping with the disappointment and gearing up for “another
try” is excellent for character building.
Compliance with the rules promotes respect for
others and self-discipline. The game cannot be played in anarchic
circumstances.
The game can be played with and against staff or
one’s own family members providing valuable cross-generational
ties and bringing down all kinds of social barriers and taboos.
Children who learn Minibridge at school often go straight home to teach
their family and friends how to play. This not only brings families
back together round the same table but enables children to demonstrate
what they have learned and beat their parents or older siblings at a
game of skill and strategy. This is a very powerful boost to their
sense of achievement and self-confidence.
It is truly amazing that a card game can help develop so many different
skills and provide so many disciplines in such an absorbing and
entertaining way.
Pictured below are two
senior citizens each partnering a 10 year old player.
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