Even though tic-tac-toe has been a part of almost everyone's childhood, it has been associated with negative associations. A simple game to pass the time, most adults and children believe; they believe it is a game similar to what playing on the playground means today—it is played only when the power is out and there is nothing else to do. However, this is not the case.

As a result of the proliferation of mobile game apps, the value of playground time and the seemingly simple game of tic-tac-toe has been overshadowed in recent years. Young children nowadays are taught to be technologically literate from a young age, using tablets or smartphones to learn their ABCs or listen to audio versions of bedtime stories. This presents a problem, particularly if it means that children's time for outdoor activities such as playing on a commercial playground with other children or playing games and puzzles with either their parents or teachers is reduced or eliminated. You might not even be aware that simple activities like these can have an impact on your children's development, especially during their formative years, until something like this happens to them.

Tic-Tac-Toe is a game in which two players have opposing objectives.

Even though tic-tac-toe is an ancient game that dates back to the ancient Egyptians around 1300 B.C., the fundamental principles of the play tic tac toe game have stood the test of time. The game appears to be straightforward. Two opponents, one using the letter X and the other using the letter O, use a 3 x 3 grid to mark their symbols against each other. The game is won by the player who is the first to get all three of his/her symbols in a row, whether it is diagonal, horizontal, or vertical. When it comes to children, there is an ingenious catch here that adults find trivial: the game is designed to end in a tie. One opponent will only be victorious if and when their opponent makes a mistake. This is the point at which the simple game of tic-tac-toe becomes a little more difficult.

When you are playing a game against a single opponent, you have two primary objectives: to win and to avoid losing. Knowing that the game of tic-tac-toe will end in a draw as an adult, you devise a strategy that ensures neither you nor your opponent will win the game. As a result, you'll believe that this is a flawless combination of your two objectives. Children, on the other hand, are motivated by either or both objectives. For example, in a 1993 experiment conducted by Carnegie Mellon University, the researchers allowed a 5-year-old girl to play tic-tac-toe against a computer-generated opponent. The findings revealed that every time the child attempts to win, she loses due to her inability to block her opponent, but every time she attempts to avoid losing, the games end in a tie. This continued for a total of 16 games in alternates. This experiment demonstrated that what you thought was a straightforward integration of a goal was not always as stable as you had assumed.

Think-Tac-Toe: The game's developmental benefits when played with a brain.
It is easy to predict the outcome of the game of tic-tac-toe. Generally speaking, the moves that are deemed significant are highly predictable. This also makes it a game of opposites in a sense, because it goes against the definition of what constitutes a "important move." However, it is this predictability that aids in the development of strategic thinking in children. They can figure out what their opponents' next move will be through observation and come up with creative ways to prevent it, making this a simple but effective version of chess. For the purpose of figuring out what else they can do in order to win, the children are encouraged to think more logically while playing the game. Because of this, they develop their logico-mathematical reasoning in a natural way, which will be beneficial to them in subjects such as math and engineering in the future.

Another intellectually stimulating aspect of tic-tac-toe is that it is a game with clearly defined rules. Playing with rules can aid in the development of children's intellectual, sociomoral, and personality skills, according to Fromberg and Bergen's book "Play from Birth to Twelve," published in 2012. This aids in the development of advanced interpersonal understanding, which results in more effective negotiation of conflicts with other children. They advocate for the inclusion of these educational games with rules as a crucial component of children's early education. However, the educational value of games such as tic-tac-toe is dependent on what you, the adult, choose to do with the children. You shouldn't give them the answers right away because this will hinder their ability to develop their skills. Allow them to figure it out on their own, and assist them by asking questions that can point them in the right direction. Furthermore, activities such as these help to strengthen the bond that you have with your children.

Learning through educational games and the effects they have on spatial ability
Cockatiel assists children in developing their spatial skills by encouraging logical reasoning and deductive reasoning. This ability is critical for their problem-solving abilities, which can range from simple household chores to complex mathematical equations. Playing around commercial playground equipment, in addition to a simple game of tic-tac-toe, can help children improve their spatial awareness and spatial reasoning skills.

It is possible to believe that playgrounds are simply places where children can go to have fun, but there is more to it than that. Play is an important part of the learning process and should be encouraged. Because of the interaction with other children, it aids in the development of their physical abilities and social skills. They gain a better understanding of their environment and of themselves while also receiving cognitive benefits from play.

With the advancement of technology, playgrounds have evolved to not only be enjoyable, but also to foster a more creative learning environment. Teachers can use them to teach children skills that they would otherwise not be able to learn in a traditional classroom setting. To assist children in improving their concentration, alphabet panels and tic-tac-toe panels have been incorporated into play systems.

These tic-tac-toe panels help children improve their hand-eye coordination while also encouraging better social interaction through more cooperative play. Furthermore, children should not only interact with other children. Parents play an important role in the playground, and this role extends beyond that of supervisors. Children learn to interact with their parents first before they learn to interact with other people, so it is critical for parents to assist their children in taking their first few steps in social interactions with other people. The game of tic-tac-toe isn't just about choosing which letter to play with, or which letter to play with. The same can be said for playground play, which is not limited to simply running around and having a good time. They not only assist children in terms of cognitive development, but also in terms of personal development and even the acquisition of valuable life lessons. A simple game such as tic-tac-toe can serve as a metaphor for how people navigate through obstacles and make decisions in their daily lives. It also demonstrates that the positive aspects outweigh the negative aspects, and that you learn how to develop strategies to assist you in getting through the difficult times. These are the kinds of life lessons that you would want to pass on to your children, wouldn't you?

However, in accordance with the learning process, it is preferable to allow your children to figure these out on their own. Allow them to run around on playgrounds, interact with other children, and spend the afternoon jumping up and down with abandon. Limit the amount of time they spend in front of tablets, smartphones, or laptop computers. Allow them to struggle to find answers to puzzles and games on their own, and allow them to make mistakes, but always be nearby to guide them to the correct answer if they get stuck.

Just let them have a good time. Allow them to use freestanding tic-tac-toe games on the playground with other children as a fun way to learn new things, make new friends, and learn about the world around them while having a good time. Such activities will provide them with priceless and worthwhile lessons, as well as the opportunity to develop new skills and abilities.