Last Updated on July 14, 2022 by Editorial Team
Do you know that difficulties in reading and writing can be coupled with various other disorders too?
Some people may have very remarkable reading and writing abilities, but may not be too comfortable with abstract reasoning concepts like spatial arrangements, patterns, orientations, and so on.
The problems related to reasoning are often called reverse dyslexia too, and its existence is totally undeniable. Researchers classify these as non-verbal learning difficulties (NVLD).
It largely includes the inability to guess the right shape, size, weight, or placement of the things while visualizing their 3D formats. Thus, you may find people with these disorders to be having difficulties like:
- Inability to arrange things in the order of their size
- Inability to guess the speed of the ball coming to them, which means missing catches
- Inability to tell the location and the unintended place of any object
- They are stumbling upon things more than often despite being fully present at the site mentally as well as physically.
All these points at visual-spatial reasoning disorder; a book NVLD and Developmental Visual-Spatial Disorder in Children by Broitman, J., Melcher, M., Margolis, A., Davis, J.M. proposes spatial reasoning disorder as a subtype of NVLD.
As is evident that such skills need more practical learning, the students can be given options like manipulatives or games. Interestingly, many of the games that were previously played in classes and homes are available online. So, you can download these games to give something new and interesting to the students and replenish their repertoire of learning materials anytime you want.
5 games for improving your spatial reasoning skills
1. Shape Slicer 3D
Know the shape and orientation – while many other online spatial reasoning games leave the objective on this stage, this game moves further up and allows you create the blocks, too, to fit into the puzzle. This game can rightly be called ‘spatial reasoning in action’ as you are utilizing your logic and thinking skills to slice the cubes off the block, and further use them in various jigsaw puzzles.
Slice the block, choose the slot and fit! This is how you learn to understand the spatial aspects of any figure or pattern. Levels help you challenge yourself to vary difficulties and tease your brain further. The feeling of satisfaction and zeal to learn more help you extract the best experience. Parents can also participate to promote collaborative learning.
App Link: Appstore | Playstore
2. Spatial IQ Training
Puzzle your mind and let it unravel the secrets of spatial reasoning with this 3×3 matrix solving game. With changes in orientation like changing to 90o or 180o, the students can master the concept of shape and pattern change, and move up the level of difficulty, enhancing their spatial visualization skills with a progressive approach.
Further, the tiles are color-coded that bring in logical reasoning, too, as the challenge is to get the exact composition of the matrix. So, tap the tile to add or remove, this simple activity contributes to learning orientation, sequence, logical arrangement, making you a more spatially intelligent person.
App Link: Playstore
3. Shape In 3D
Knowing about the 3D orientation of any object is the prime indication of having spatial intelligence. It can be starting point of learning of this abstract reasoning concept. Shape in 3D game offers the right way of absorbing this concept. With the help of just rectangular blocks, the limitations given, and puzzle-solving ability of your mind, you can get a cognitive introduction of the spatial reasoning.
Identify, move and fit the blocks to create the design and give yourself a pat! The game brings you closer to 3D view of the cubes and helps you learn their role in making various patterns. This online spatial reasoning game has various levels designed to help the player gauge the progress and challenge the self with several combinations of puzzles.
App Link: Playstore
4. Topple Boom
A progressive game giving your introduction to the idea of balance. The task is to add one storey to the tower and make it as high as possible. This game is ideal for understanding the idea of center of mass of any structure, and how it helps achieve equilibrium.
Children get to learn the relationship of height and orientation of components to the stability of any structure. They can also invite friends to compete for attaining higher building gaining more confidence in spatial reasoning in the process. This building making game can help internalize the concepts of height, balance, and orientation.
App Link: App Store
5. Ramp Up!
It is a fantastic game to practice spatial reasoning skills. The game has a ramp as the action ground and the player decides which path to take to use ramp and fly high up across the obstacles. Apart from learning about the spatial arrangement of objects, the player can also become more comfortable with the concepts of speed and distance. The element of time is also added by challenging to finish the game in a chosen time, ideal time being 45 seconds. This game can build spatial orientation skills in a progressive manner starting from slow to faster accomplishment, in accordance with gaining confidence in the judgment of spatial factors.
App Link: App Store
Wrapping up,
Spatial reasoning games have several advantages to offer. Right from the understanding of concepts to practicing them in a practical setting, the games offer the right support at every stage. So, next time when you need more ways of giving practice to the child on spatial reasoning, think of learning about these games. Having a repertoire can help a lot in giving something interesting and new that can keep the child’s interest alive.