If you’ve ever talked to anyone in early childhood development, you’ve probably heard them say “kids learn through play.” Well, apparently it’s true.

According a recent article in the New York Times, playing games with your child like Freeze Tag or Simon Says will likely do more for their brain development than flashcards or early reading. According to the article, these games requires your child to have focus, a working memory (to remember the rules of the game) and maintain self-control, all skills they will need to succeed in school. They also found that kids who do well with games like Simon Says are better at math and reading. Great article!