Parents of young kids are witnessing striking contrasts in how they were brought up versus how kids these days are growing up. Everything from technology, education, values, and regulations regarding upbringing has changed with this dynamic era.

How can parents use games to instill a love of learning in children?

Acclaimed poet Rabindranath Tagore discouraged the idea of limiting a child to one’s own learning. He said that our children are born in a time that differs from ours.

Times are evolving, and so are the ways of learning for kids these days. They are tech-savvy, sharp, and have easy access to every kind of knowledge. We can see that their highly receptive and curious minds are not adapted only for textbook learning. Therefore parents and teachers are taking aid from new technologies to assist in children’s education and keep their interest intact.

We all know how kids these days love playing games. Many parents are anxious about the fact that all their child wants is to play round the clock. To convert this matter from being problematic to help, we will discuss how and why parents should use games to inculcate the desire to learn in their children.

1. Most children prefer playing games over reading books.

Every parent knows that children enjoy playing a game over reading from a book any day. Games give them a sense of control and achievement, which curriculum learning would never be able to do. Don’t get me wrong by assuming that I am discouraging the book learning. Books are undoubtedly precious. The fact that textbooks are developed by the top educationists worldwide makes them suitable for the systematic approach towards curriculum learning. However, if parents strike a balance between textbook learning and game-based learning, they will see a remarkable improvement in a child’s cognitive development.

Also, as kids love playing games, they will gladly adapt to this fusion of books plus technology and flourish through it.

2. IQ level can be increased by playing games within limits

Parents who want to turn their child into an intellectual prodigy should consider letting them play games for a limited time every day. Games like puzzles, crosswords and sudoku force a child to dig deeper into the thought process and develop a solution. This greatly enhances his ability to comprehend complexities.

The University of York conducted a study that concluded that the IQ of those who play video games well is found to be higher than their counterparts.

3. Games help strengthen social skills in children.

Building practical social skills in children is the need of the hour and a task on every parent’s mind. Besides making them socially aware and building confidence to talk to people, games can be quite helpful in developing social skills.

Researchers from Columbia University did a study that covers the effects of video games on children’s social skills. They found that playing games and better socializing among kids are linked to each other. Children who play more video games were found to have a better bonding with their peers.

4. Academic concepts are understood better through games.

The Joan Ganz Cooney Center surveyed teachers who used digital game-based learning in classrooms. 71% of the teachers responded that there was a significant improvement in their students’ maths skills.

This proves that parents can also take help from learning games if they find that their child lacks anywhere. It will be easier to get the child’s attention towards a game rather than a book, and he will listen and understand what is being taught.

There are some fantastic platforms out there like the airG MiniMe 500c, which have educational games that help clear the player’s concepts in a fun way.

5. Playing games can make children mentally strong.

Games provide children a safe zone to learn failure and experiment without any worries.  This builds their coping skills and teaches them that they can face ups and downs when one is in the learning process.

The times ahead are highly competitive, so raising mentally strong children is an imperative thing to do. Only if they know the reason for failure will they strive for success the next time.

6. Critical thinking can be enhanced by letting children play strategy games.

Strategy games are trending among kids of all ages. The reason being their ability to let the player make decisions, the challenges, and the feeling of living on the edge, which is quite thrilling.

Online strategy games like chess, Minecraft, and Age of Wars build critical thinking of the player. Critical thinking is termed as a vital skill to have if you want to excel in academics. It helps one reflect on their learning and apply it to solve real-life problems.

If a kid learns critical thinking well and starts understanding how to multitask, they will perform better in academics.

7. Various types of games develop language skills.

Exposing your child to games can teach them language skills. Games like Scrabble and Pictionary facilitate the language skills of a child and enhances their vocabulary. So if teaching language skills to your child are on your bucket list, you can take help from online games. They will learn it much faster and with greater interest for sure.

8. Using puzzle games enhance memory

A 1996 study conducted by researchers Oyen and Bebko found that games can help develop children’s memory.

It is essential to have a sharp memory to attain education. Recalling something that will help solve an issue is a convenient skill that can be useful for any subject that the child is studying. Luckily, parents have easy access to such games, and they can introduce it to their children.

9. Playing games will encourage children to study with dedication.

Games are interactive. They let the children explore. If games are amalgamated into regular learning, children will enjoy the learning process instead of getting bored.

Besides, when you allow your kids to play games, they will feel obliged and listen to you when you tell them to study. This means that on the one hand, the child is learning some excellent skills while playing games, and on the other hand, they act as an incentive for them to study later on.

Parting Thoughts

Children feel more comfortable and liberated while playing games, so taking this as an opportunity to inculcate fondness of learning in them is the right thing to do. Developers these days are doing a marvelous job at creating unique games that help children learn, so you can choose the one your child likes from various platforms.

Your role as a parent to check whether the game is right for them is very significant. Instead of letting the kids play violent games, divert their attention towards thoughtfully developed, educational games.

Once you select the right games and let them play under surveillance, they will surely start taking interest in learning.

evieharrison