Presenter: Name: Rene Burress

Title: Department Chair and Associate Professor
Organization/School: University of Central Missouri

Program Description
Tabletop games are not just a source of entertainment; they are powerful tools for fostering critical thinking, social interaction, and emotional growth. If you are completely new to tabletop games or would like a refresher, “Move Over Monopoly ” is for you! This program invites library patrons to engage in an enriching and fun-filled experience that combines education with play. It provides an inclusive, welcoming environment where participants can explore a diverse selection of board games, card games, strategy games, and more. Through gameplay, K-12 students build essential skills that extend far beyond the table, preparing them for success in academics, personal relationships, and beyond.
As part of the program, participants will have the opportunity to explore the different types of tabletop games available today. Each type of game will be explained in detail, with examples brought to life through live demonstrations. Participants will interact with a variety of games, examine their components, and even play a few rounds to experience the mechanics firsthand. This hands-on approach ensures everyone, from beginners to seasoned players, can find a game that sparks their interest.
Modern games often require players to think several steps ahead, adapt strategies, and make critical decisions under pressure. For instance, strategy games challenge players to manage resources and plan routes, honing skills in logical reasoning and spatial awareness. Puzzle-based games encourage lateral thinking and creative problem-solving, making learning a natural and engaging process. Cooperative games require effective communication, leadership skills, and advanced planning.
Tabletop games also cultivate soft skills like leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Team-based and competitive games alike provide opportunities for players to practice clear communication, persuasive arguments, and compromise. Games can require players to interpret subtle clues and build trust with teammates, fostering interpersonal skills that are vital in academic and professional settings.
Tabletop games naturally promote collaboration, empathy, and emotional regulation. Whether it’s managing the frustration of losing a piece in chess or celebrating a friend’s victory in cooperative games, participants learn to navigate emotions, communicate effectively, and work as a team. SEL is critical for students of all ages, and this program offers an enjoyable way to develop these skills organically.
“Move Over Monopoly” is more than just a program—it’s a gateway to learning, connection, and growth. By combining SEL benefits, higher-order thinking, and social development with the joy of play, this initiative supports holistic development for students of all ages. Join us for an unforgettable gaming adventure that educates, inspires, and entertains!

Learning Objectives
1. Identify the Educational Benefits of Tabletop Games:
Participants will learn how different types of tabletop games can support key learning areas, including:
*Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) by fostering collaboration, empathy, and emotional regulation.
*Higher-order thinking and problem-solving through strategy and logic-based games.
* Soft skills such as communication, leadership, negotiation, and teamwork.
* Academic skills like literacy, numeracy, and geography through subject-specific games.

2. Learn How to Develop a Game Collection Suited to Your Patrons Based on Game Types and Mechanics
Attendees will leave with a core knowledge of tabletop game types and mechanics, combined with experience and criteria for selecting games for their library, including:
* Identifying basic game types and their related educational outcomes
* Using game mechanics vocabulary to identify game type, playability, and educational outcomes
* Determining realistic age level and play time expectations based on mechanics, type, and game details

3.Facilitating Game Play in Your Library and Community
Participants will receive guidance on integrating tabletop gaming into their library programming. Options representing a wide range of budgets, patron ages, time available, number of participants, and overall learning or program goals will be addressed. They’ll leave with ready-to-implement ideas, including:
*Setting up engaging, inclusive game events for all ages.
*Encouraging participation and managing group dynamics.
*Using games as tools to build community and foster collaboration.
*Creating game clubs or themed game nights.
*Incorporating games into literacy and STEM programs.
*Collaborating with schools, community groups, and families to maximize impact.

Program Outline
Opening (10 minutes): The session will begin with an engaging icebreaker where participants pair up to play a quick hands-on game. This immediate hands-on approach will demonstrate how games naturally facilitate social connections. While playing, we will ask participants to share their previous gaming experiences and what brought them to the session.

Introduction to Modern Gaming (15 minutes): We will start with a brief overview of how modern tabletop games differ from traditional classics, displaying several example games. Using carefully selected games, we will introduce core gaming concepts through interactive demonstrations of the following types of games: resource management (using tokens and cards), spatial reasoning (with tile-placement games), deck building, area control, press your luck, deduction, dexterity, dice games and cooperative problem-solving (through team-based scenarios).

Guided Play Experience (15 minutes): Participants will select one of the demonstrated games to explore more deeply. Facilitators will circulate, offering rule clarification and highlighting learning moments as they naturally occur. Groups are encouraged to discuss their strategy choices and how different approaches might work. This section balances learning game mechanics with experiencing the social aspects of gaming.

Reflection and Resources (10 minutes): The session concludes with a guided discussion connecting gaming experiences to real-world applications. Participants share moments where they used critical thinking or collaboration. Presenters will provide library programming ideas. The facilitator provides recommendations for games based on demonstrated interests, including a handout categorizing games by complexity, player count, and primary mechanics. Information about managing library gaming collections and resources for fundings will be shared
Move Over Monopoly: These Are Not Your Grandma’s Games

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12

Session Strand: Collaboration

Presenter
Kelly Pryde

Kelly Pryde is an Instructor at University of Central Missouri


Description: Ready for some fun? 🎲 Join us for an exciting session where you’ll explore the world of modern tabletop games! Start with a hands-on icebreaker and make new connections through play. Discover everything from strategy games to cooperative challenges with interactive demos that teach core gaming skills like deck-building, resource management, and more. Pick your favorite game to dive into, chat strategies with others, and learn tips from our expert facilitators. Plus, we’ll share fun ideas for bringing games into your library programs and managing your game collections. Don’t miss out—come play, learn, and connect!