Snakes & ladders teach kids good habits

Inculcating good habits in children is crucial for their development, impacting their character, behaviour and future success. Teaching these habits at a young age also helps prevent the development of bad habits later in life.

With this goal in mind, the Punjab Agricultural University’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies has come up with an innovative and engaging approach.

A specially designed, developmentally appropriate the Snakes and Ladders game has been created for children up to 7 years of age to promote good habits and eliminate bad ones. In this fun-filled game, ladders represent good habits, helping children climb upward, while snakes are placed on blocks associated with bad habits, causing players to slide downward. This simple yet effective mechanism reinforces positive behaviour while discouraging negative ones in an entertaining, motivating way.

The game is based on well-established scientific theories. It draws inspiration from Ivan Pavlov’s theory of reinforcement, which suggests that behaviours can be strengthened through positive reinforcement and diminished through negative consequences. It also incorporates Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, particularly the preoperational stage, where young children learn best through concrete and symbolic experiences. By making learning visible and action-oriented, the game aligns perfectly with the cognitive capabilities of children around four years of age. The minds behind this creative educational tool are Dr Ritu Mahal (Assistant Professor) and Dr Prachi Bisht (Scientist) from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS).

“This initiative helps children understand that good habits will lead them to success, while bad habits can result in failure,” said Dr Prachi Bisht. “For example, brushing teeth will allow kids to climb the ladder of success, teaching them that it’s a positive habit. On the other hand, skipping a bath—considered a bad habit—will bring them a few steps down, reinforcing the importance of maintaining hygiene every day.”

Parents can easily create this simple game at home and customise it to teach specific habits they want their children to learn.

Dr SeemA Sharma, added, “Positive parenting is essential and parents must be creative in how they teach their children. By instilling habits like healthy eating, regular exercise, good sleep and proper hygiene, parents can guide children toward making positive life choices. Instead of just telling them, engaging them in an activity like this snake and ladder game allows kids to understand good and bad habits on their own.”

Dr Kiran Bains, also emphasised the game’s value: “By integrating behavioural and cognitive theories into a simple and interactive format, the snake and ladder game offers a powerful and innovative tool to support early childhood development.”

Through this unique approach, the game provides an entertaining, educational opportunity for young children to develop a foundation of positive habits that will last a lifetime.