Games that Help Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Finding, Utilizing and Creating Space for Brain Games

Before getting started, it's important to provide an ADD child with an appropriate environment at home for learning. Often, creating a dedicated learning space can be just what your child needs to focus on learning games. Block off your child's learning space with obvious boundary markers and keep it free of clutter and distractions like television and cell phones. You may also want to clearly label materials in this space to help your child remain visually and mentally oriented.

Make sure the games you're looking for address what your child needs. Talk to your child's teachers or any other professionals working with your child to overcome his or her disability. Chances are, they will be able to provide you with advice about what kinds of games will be the most helpful. They may even be able to provide you with games and game ideas that you and your child can use.

There are a number of free games available online designed to help children increase their focusing abilities. The following game ideas may also come in handy for helping your child increase his or her ability to focus.

Comparing and Contrasting

Visual compare-and-contrast games can be a fun and useful way to help your child concentrate. There are a variety of exercises like this in children's magazines, books and online. Show your child two pictures that are almost identical, but have a certain number of distinct differences. Go back and forth between the pictures and make a game of helping your child identify every difference.

Listening Game

Comparing and contrasting audio sounds will help your child to focus and pay attention to detail without visual stimulus. The ability to distinguish between sounds will also sharpen many children's concentration in other areas. You can purchase CDs and mp3 files of instrument sounds, or find them at a number of websites. Go over the sounds with your child and identify the instruments. Next, play the sounds for your child in varying orders and have him or her shout out the correct instrument names.

Fun with Mazes and Puzzles

Another way to help your child pay attention to details is with mazes and puzzles. There are many mazes available online that you can download and print for your child to solve. Finishing a difficult maze takes concentration and resilience.

You can also sit with your child and complete jigsaw puzzles. This activity is calming and requires a great deal of patience and attention to detail. Though he or she may find it frustrating at first, if it's an activity that you engage your child in on a regular basis, it can become fun and help focus your child's thoughts and actions.