Remembering the first time I took our first edition of NZ IN A BOX®(2016) to a school. The cards provided something for every child to relate to. They didn’t need to have travelled extensively around New Zealand/Aotearoa to identify with the images. I will never forget the joy and excitement when a child remembered an image they personally related to.
The rules are super easy:
Shuffle all the cards and place them picture-side down on a flat surface.
You can decide whether to put them in orderly lines or messy scatter-like fashion.
The youngest player goes first by turning over two cards. If the two cards match, keep them beside you. If they do not match, turn them back over, the next player takes a turn. The cards must be flipped over completely so all players can see them.
A player that makes a match takes another turn and continues to take turns until they fail to make a match. Remember what was on each card and where it was during each player’s turn.
When all the pairs have been found, the player with the most pairs of cards wins!
We decided to create a twist to the traditional rules for our NZ IN A BOX® Te Reo Māori memory card game. Players should say the Māori word when they flip a matching pair to lock in that pair as theirs. By vocalising words, learning is reinforced. Please be patient with new learners!
Memory card games are fun for all ages (we say 5-100!); they promote visual recognition, concentration, cognitive skills, and are great for short term memory. Playing will improve function in this area of memory, with follow on advantages for long-term memory.
Let’s get learning in a fun, engaging way with friends and whānau/family.
Best wishes
Maria Artho
Founder of NZ IN A BOX®
