It’s time that we stop demonizing video games. Believe it or not, video games are actually good for kids in moderation, as they help them improve on crucial skills they will use in the real world. Here are some reasons why video games are good for kids.
Boosts Problem Solving Skills
Contrary to popular belief, video games can actually help children’s brain development. This is because certain video games require deep thinking and problem solving to move on to the next level and to ultimately defeat the game. These benefits can be found in almost any modern video game, not just the ones labeled as educational.
Many games require the player to develop a deep understanding of game rules and structure to be better at the game. This essentially forces your child to engage in critical thinking, with them deciding, sometimes in a matter of milliseconds, the best way to approach a level. Most modern video games also present your child the opportunity to customize their characters’ appearance, giving them the chance to express themselves.
Video Games Can Spark an Interest in History and Culture
Many video games take place during certain moments in history, giving the player the chance to relive historic moments through the game. This can help spark your child’s interest in both global history and culture. As a parent, you can expedite this interest by being alert to learning opportunities when they present themselves in a game.
Turn a level based in ancient Egypt into an opportunity to show your child books, websites, museums, and media about the time period. Since your child will recognize some of the information from their game, they will be more inclined to learn about it. There are even games such as Civilization that allow the gamer to create their own civilization complete with culture, politics, religion, and militaries.
Video Games Can Help Your Child Socialize
Gone are the days when video games were seen as an isolating activity. Nowadays, most kids are using video games as a way to socialize. Nearly every game and console gives your child the opportunity to chat with friends.
Video games create a common ground for young kids to make friends, hang out, and provide structured time with friends. The research found that boys were more likely to play video games with a group of friends and they were a frequent focus for conversation. If you are worried about your child chatting with the wrong people, there are safety measures on most consoles for parents.
They Can Actually Encourage Exercise
Believe it or not, video games can actually encourage exercise. This became a more widely accepted belief after the rise of the Nintendo Wii in the mid-to-late 2000s. Virtual reality games allow the user to partake in a unique, challenging, and fun workout all in the comfort of their own home.
Also, it is not uncommon for children to spark up interest in a sport after being introduced to one in video games. Research has shown that playing realistic sports video games leads to increased time spent playing sports and exercising in real life. Your child will want to try out that call move they saw in their sports game.
Competition
Competition is normal and healthy for kids and parents should not try to stifle a child’s competitive behavior. Video games provide a great outlet for your child to be competitive. Your child will compete with and against their friends in an attempt to win the game or beat the other’s high score.
Video games are a safe place to express those competitive urges. Perhaps more importantly, it can give children who aren’t good at sports a chance to excel. Giving your child a competitive outlet is important for their development, as it will teach them that competitiveness can be a healthy behavior.
Video Games Give Kids a Chance to Lead
Video games can also present a great leading opportunity for your child. Something that can be incredibly valuable to them, especially at a younger age. When children play video games in groups, they often take turns leading and following depending on who has specific skills needed in that game.
Studies have found that teens who had played group games online felt they had gained leadership skills while playing the game. These skills include persuading others, motivating others, and mediating disputes. In the video game world, no one cares how old you are as long as you can lead the team to victory.
Creativity
More than anything else, video games provide an incredible creative outlet for your children. Certain games, such as Minecraft, give your child the opportunity to create an entire world from scratch, needing to obtain resources and material along the way. Your child can then share the world they created with their friends and people from around the world.
Games such as Minecraft provide an outlet for your child to create but it also forces them to be creative in other ways. Your child may have to experiment with certain materials to get the color they want or they may have to experiment with the layout of their world to make sure everything can fit. When it comes to games like these, the virtual world is your child’s oyster.
Teaching Opportunities
Roughly one-third of children who play video games say they like to teach others how to play. This can be a sister teaching a brother, a son teaching a father, a friend teaching another friend, or your kid teaching someone they just met online. These teaching opportunities provide many benefits.
They will help build your child’s social and communication skills, as well as patience. Learning opportunities are also important. Even if they’re not the teacher, your child will learn how to better follow instructions and how to ask questions if they are confused.
Summer Camps
No matter how much they want to, your child can’t play video games all day every day. Summer camps are a great way for your child to learn valuable skills while socializing with kids their age who share similar interests. Here at Education Unlimited, we offer in-person summer camps along the East Coast and online summer camps to children across the country. Contact us today to learn about the courses we offer!