Despite the incessant worry parents have about their kids playing video games, recent studies show that video games (even violent ones) have the potential to help kids develop essential emotional and intellectual skills.
But did you know that playing video games can also help your child excel in school?
Today we’re looking at 4 ways gaming will help your child in school and why so many educational institutions are implementing game-based learning into their curriculum.
1. Gaming is a Social Activity
Learning how to socialize can be a challenge for many children. This problem is only exacerbated once a child enters kindergarten and has to quickly learn to navigate the social aspects of being in a classroom, listening to an adult that is not a parent, and learn difficult things.
That said, it has been observed that 70% of kid gamers play with friends while in the same room, as opposed to playing alone. This is in part because of the skills they learn while playing their favorite games including teamwork, goal achievement, and communication. These skills need honing before entering the classroom.
If you want to further encourage your children’s social interactions, make sure to invest in Xbox One gaming headsets so they can “meet up” with friends in the virtual world of gaming and play after school and on the weekend.
2. Boost in Reading Comprehension
Many teachers struggle to keep their students on track when it comes to their reading levels. And while many factors play a role in why children struggle to keep up with reading, one thing is true: video games offer kids a fun way to practice their reading skills without the added pressure of a teacher, other students’ abilities, and a grade.
Video games, especially alternate reality games (ARGs), give students a way to immerse themselves in an entirely different reality from their own. They put themselves in the shoes of another character and learn to navigate an alternate storyline.
This is essentially what reading comprehension is in school.
The better your child can get at understanding fictional events in video games, the more likely they’ll be to understand the storylines in written text.
3. Video Games Relieve Stress
There’s nothing worse than sending your child off to school when they are stressed out. They’ll feel this negativity throughout the day and let it affect their ability to learn and socialize with others.
Giving your child a way to cope with and relive the stresses of everyday life with video games helps your child relax, gives their brain a break, and even lowers their blood pressure. It can even curb stress-related urges to overeat, lash out in the classroom or at home, or become depressed, regardless of their age.
4. Games Teach Kids About Advanced Technology
In this day and age, advanced technology is all the rage. If you’re struggling to get your kid interested in technology, video games are a great way to introduce them.
Here are some of the basic skills your child can learn by playing video games:
- Coding
- Spatial thinking
- Reasoning
- Problem-solving
Video games are an especially useful way to teach kids in school about technology. Game-based learning makes difficult subjects exciting, fun, and easier to understand. It also helps an otherwise anxious child forget about their insecurities and get involved. And with the right gaming accessories, all children have the ability to learn challenging skills by playing games.
Video games have a lot to offer children when it comes to helping them succeed in school. From socialization to learning new subjects, gamers have an edge on everyone if they get involved with the right games early on. And if you’re worried about how video games will affect your child, all you have to do is monitor what they play. Trust us, the benefits will be worth it.
