Find Monty! Rarely so enthusiastic about a game!
Author: Claudia Benmesahel-Kruidbos
Trainer and mother
Rarely have I been so excited about a game.
Find Monty is a game that really has EVERYTHING.
Yes, it promotes memory, and the use of language concepts, and the development of the cognitive function Spatial Relations.
But the most fantastic thing about this game is the unprecedented variety of possibilities it offers. It can be used independently of spoken language and even type of language.
The material is sturdy and the colours are appealing.
The possibilities to adapt Monty to the child's level are endless.
In the simplest version, you as a supervisor can take a card and the child can copy it.
You can take turns taking a card and rebuilding it, this can be done in a game format with a winner (where you can increase the maximum number of cards you can win).
You can play with a dice and here too the variation possibilities are endless.
Even adults can play Monty! You may only use language to describe the image that someone else must then build.
Left, right, above, below, front, back, between, middle, everything passes by!
All these concepts are not only important for language development but also incredibly important for arithmetic.
The age indication is from 4 years, but if you have a smart toddler then there are enough variations to think of without detracting from the game.
Monty also has unprecedented motor capabilities
In the simplest form, your child can be given all the time to recreate the image. If you want more of a challenge, you can link the concept of “time” to building (according to the rules, you are given time to look at the example until the other person has finished the sentence twice: “where is Monty, where is Monty” or you use your own imagination and play with the concept of time and possibly use an hourglass).
Oh yes, the game itself… I almost forgot to describe Monty because I keep thinking about what other variations I could apply and especially which children I could help with this.
The game itself
Monty is a cat who feels hunted by the dog and can hide in the bed, under the bed, behind it, on top of it or next to it.
Besides Monty you have a beautiful wooden carpet and a beautiful green bed with a red blanket and a lovely blue pillow. There are 34 photo cards that can be recreated.
Find Monty is highly recommended for anyone who wants to help children with their development!
The biggest challenge is not the game itself, but are you able to adapt Monty to the child's level?