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Comment by thenobsta | Hacker News Reader

My daughter is in 1st grade and really enjoys playing blackjack with me(Dad). It's an amazing metaphor for addition and gives some good entrypoints for talking about probability and decision making.

We play for candy. Surprisingly she hasn't eaten any of it yet. She seems to be balancing her desire to beat dad by having more candy and her desire to eat candy. It's been great bonding time too.

Next up, a similar game with other operations.

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This is amazing because I just started doing exactly the same thing with my 1st grader with similar results. She loves it so much more than the terrible worksheets she comes home with.

Yeah! Go you! There's so many great lessons in this game -- arithmetic, probability, decision making, managing competing desires, risk and ROI (gotta bet some to get something back, and ultimately you might not get it back).

How would you feel about an online game where your kid played blackjack for candy to learn addition? Is it still ok, or is that only something you would have her play with you? That sounds fun and is such a great practical application of the skill she's learning.

I try to do anything that can be done without a screen, without a screen.

The math and probability part could probably be made into a game. Something engaging and with a compelling end goal (candy or completion of a fun narrative) would catch her eye.

My goals for playing are more oriented towards bonding, learning useful/life lessons, and keeping the kiddo challenged.

These are great goals. You have a lucky kiddo.

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