Specially written for CDM.org by: Ruthie Jianna
Cathy Li and Farah Lalani discussed how leveraging game-based learning can enrich a child’s education. Of course, this strategy doesn’t solely hinge on technology adoption. Home learning settings can just as seamlessly integrate creative activities and play. In our post ‘The Importance of Play’, we shared how play urges your child to go beyond what they know. Interacting with different environments or situations enables them to develop essential life skills. Emotional coping, planning, and problem-solving are necessary for expressing clear ideas and pursuing their own choices. In this article, we shed light on why gamified learning is beneficial for your children.
Learner involvement
Consider creating a role-play scenario that lets your kid inhabit different identities. At home, they can be bakers trying out various recipes for fun. If you’re visiting a park, they may want to become scientists and catalog bug species.
Positive behavior
Games don’t only spark learner involvement; they can also promote collaboration between you and your children. You may observe that your young learner can become aggravated when a game doesn’t go their way. When you participate and work towards the same goals, you can teach your kid how to solve problems more productively. The Explosive Child broaches a new approach in encouraging positive behavior in children. Become proactive and set a good example for your kids during gaming activities. This way, you can help them become more emotionally flexible regarding new challenges. Pictionary is a good start to teaching your kid about teamwork. Alongside that, the board game helps them identify new and unique words and improves their vocabulary.
Critical thinking
Computer-based learning games have different approaches to mentally stimulating children’s learning. Open-ended ones like Toca Lab ensure your kid can experiment and continuously make new connections. In one area of the game, your child can collect up to 35 plant characters and watch how these evolve. Otherwise, they may also form different combinations out of the 118 elements from the periodic table.
Motivation
Games can at once be educational and entertaining — the intersection of bothcan kindle motivation in your children. When children enjoy games with simulated environments, they can build confidence upon completing a series of chores or jobs. Minecraft comes to mind when we think about games that imbue creative freedom and self-direction. The game allows your kids to enter an adventure where they’re urged to explore, craft tools, and gather resources. Likewise, you can also explore hiking trails with your child and even go camping to mimic Minecraft’s Survival mode. As they finish tasks like pitching a tent or identifying wildlife, they can become more aware of their capacity to succeed in life.
If we’ve inspired you to take your child out for a day of exciting learning, consider visiting the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. The exhibits feature an air maze, an interactive art studio, and a mammal fossils installation, to name a few. Nourish your kid’s mind and senses by booking an afternoon at the museum!
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