Specialties San Angelo: Games that Train the Brain

Pokemon will teach your kid math and reading skills better than traditional educational programming ever will, says George Bell, owner of Specialties Games, Toys and Gifts.

Just to play the game, a child must be able to calculate point values, do simple addition and subtraction, and most importantly, read the instructions for each card.

“Think about it, you got six-year-olds happily doing math,” explained Bell before referencing his own children. “Both my sons, because they grew up with gamer parents, their math skills were far in advance.”

In recent years studies have supported Bell’s assertions.

Researcher and psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Brown of the National Institute for Play has noticed a strong correlation between success and playful activity, and has given many lectures on the subject.

Many gaming parents agree, seeing firsthand the results of playing board and tabletop games with their children. However experts suggest that this type of play differs from the digital in that it offers an enhanced sense of togetherness.

Tom Vasel, avid gamer and President of popular game review site ‘The Dice Tower,’ specifies how gaming can create community in a deseretnews.com article about the benefits of board games.

“‘Many families are into technological games played on the Wii or Xbox, but those games really don't bring the family closer together the same way board games are able to,’ Vasel said.”

It’s this sense of community that Specialties, a toy and gaming store in San Angelo, seeks to offer to local families and gaming groups.

“George and Linda Bell have personally selected the items in the store to reflect their belief in the power of play for the healthy development of children and families,” the Specialties website states.  “From developmental toys and first friends for babies, to gaming groups for teens and adults, Specialties meets the need for quality family experiences.”

George Bell has been an avid gamer for many years, and has seen the effects that gaming has on children. The father of two cites his own children’s early success in reading and math as the result of a keen interest in the ability to play a variety of games well.

Aside from the educational angle, a gaming store allows for an enhanced experience, Bell says.

Anyone can buy a game off of Amazon, but George Bell will teach you how to play it and connect you with other gamers.

His son Alex Bell, has grown up with the store and just like his father, is an avid gamer.

“Basically I like this place because it’s a community where people with likeminded ideas can come together,” said Alex. “We’ve seen people grow up here, mature, get jobs, get families, bring kids in, buy toys for kids, just the full circle.”

Alex expanded upon the benefits of gaming from an unexpected vantage point.

 “I’ve seen a few people that I know that were drug addicts before they came to the store and then this basically was an outlet for them to break free from the darker part of their lives,” he explained.

The social community aspect of gaming is largely responsible for that, and that’s why Bell stays open. “It’s to expand the community and enhance the hobby” said Bell.                 

“It’s always welcoming to come here and meet new faces and be a new face myself,” said Mathew Bart, local gaming aficionado, “It’s really about having fun with people you get to know from the store.”

Expanding the community is done through Friday Night Magic tournaments held every Friday night in the Specialties backroom, where anywhere from 16 to 30 people gather to partake.

Coming up soon is the official release of Theros for Magic the Gathering on Friday, Sept. 27. Also keep an eye out for the event ‘Tanksgiving’. More information to be announced by Specialties as the holiday nears.