What's a good age to have a child follow directions to a board game?

Question

I nanny for a four year old, and two and half year old. They LOVE it when I bring Candy Land. I think it's an extremely good time, for the two year old to learn her colors (with my help of course... I show her how to draw the card, ask her what it is, and together we move to the next color.)  And I also think it's a great time for the four year old (who knows his colors) to learn how to follow directions. I mean, it's not like it's hard directions. Mix the cards up, draw a card, go to that square! 

Here's the thing. Whenever I bring the game, though, we play his version. He divides the cards up by color, and we all get some cards (he refuses to share the deck), and then he chooses whichever card he'd like till he reaches the castle. I explain to him the rules, but and if he doesn't want to play that way I say, "I see, you want to play your version of the game, we can do that," and then I don't force him to play different. I figure even if he's not following the directions, he's learning concepts like sorting, and counting. But I am just wondering, what age should kids start playing games according to the directions? What's a good age to expect him to follow board game directions? I know he's got to learn one of these days, because when he get's older directions are a part of life.

Ferret Lady · Accepted Answer

I was playing candyland by the rules when I was four. Sure, sometimes I'd get confused, but my grandma would help me. He should be old enough to play by the actual rules. If he says he wants to play his way, suggest another game saying that's not the rules. Maybe he will end up wanting to play so bad, that he agrees to go by the rules. 
You don't want him to think he can do everything his way all the time, kids seem to think that a lot for some reason.

Miss Amber · Answer

They should start trying to play according to the rules at the youngest recommended age, but confusion happens and other versions (especially if they're quicker) can be more appealing to younger children. Whatever the middle age recommended for the game is, that's when they should be able to follow the rules when they play and be encouraged to do so.

justa · Answer

There will come a time when rules and order will be very important to him, four isn't it.  Five might be. You can keep informing him of the regular rules and let him play with his rules, one day he'll say lets play it that way.
In the meantime enjoy his imagination, all those rules will wear it away in time.

Anonymous · Answer

I can recommend a great game that will teach him to follow directions, and will also develop his mind and be great fun for him at the same time. And it also speaks to each child using his own name! There's a version for children and a versions for toddlers, so both kids will enjoy it very much. Just search "Dolphy Games" on google and you'll thank me :)

Anonymous · Answer

all games are so good for your child if :
no negative effect for her health anad her spirit .... !!!!

What's a good age to have a child follow directions to a board game?

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