How do you identify and further develop your acquisition and retention levels? There are different schools of thought on cognitive development, from intelligence quotient testing to gifted and talented programs. There are a few organizations that have risen as fun and accessible tools in the guise of games, such as Lumosity, Stories with Holes and SET.
Lumosity
from lumosity.com
For decades, researchers have created tasks that measure cognitive abilities. Luminosity has adapted some of these tasks and made some of their own, creating 50+ cognitive games.
Scientists delve into research: Lumosity scientists work side-by-side with their designers. They make sure each game maintains the core mechanics of the original task designed to challenge a specific cognitive skill.
Game designers bring to life: Lumosity designers and developers add exciting game features and themes while making sure each game is accessible, engaging, and challenging to people of all ages.
1. Get your baseline: Take the Fit Test to get your baseline scores on 3 games. See how you stack up against others your age, and take the first step in your training.
2. Complete daily workouts: Enjoy daily workouts that challenge 5 core cognitive abilities. Games adapt to your skill level, so you’ll always be challenged. You can play Brain Games on your desktop or mobile app.
3. Track your scores: See your best and worst Lumosity performances, and get insights into your training.
Stories with Holes Series
from storieswithholes.com
Twenty logic stories that will make you think! They will stimulate critical and creative thinking skills. From 7 to 110 years old. The author, Nathan Levy, is a gifted and talented educator who consults for public school administrators, teachers and parents. The most wonderful aspect of his Stories with Holes series of books is that the critical thinking stories are fun and educational for all levels of learners and all ages from 7 up. Read one story/puzzle an evening during dinner and watch even the most apathetically cool teenagers engage in the story and try to solve the mystery. Excellent for problem solving and critical thinking. Order Here
SET
from setgame.com
SET, The Family Game of Visual Perception, has won over 35 best game awards including MENSA Select. SET is a board game where any table becomes your board! It’s a perfect travel game and a party favorite! Race to find a SET of three cards where each feature is either all the same or all different on each card. With no turns and no luck, SET is challenging, fast and fun! It makes a perfect after dinner game that can be played in only 20 minutes. SET can be played alone or with as many players as you can fit around the table!
SET builds cognitive, logical and spatial reasoning skills as well as visual perception skills while playing a game! Because it has a rule of logic (three cards that are all the same or all different in each individual feature), and because players must apply this rule to the spatial array of patterns all at once, they must use both left brain and right brain thought processes. This fun game actually exercises your brain! The New York Times offers an online version of the game. You can also play online here. Buy an actual deck of SET cards here.