There appears to be a widespread belief that online gaming is harmful to children’s development. Nothing could be further from the truth, and there are numerous–and complex–reasons for this, but it also makes sense when looking at the fundamental benefits of game-based learning. Of course, children should not spend every waking moment staring at a computer screen. In fact, playing free online educational games for kids may be beneficial to a child’s learning and development.
Fluency with computers and simulations
This is very important because we live in a technologically dominated world. Playing games on the internet gives children the opportunity to become acquainted with how a computer works, and as a result, it becomes second nature to them. There are websites, such as Cartoon Network Games, that provide young children with fun and exciting games while also teaching them how to properly use the mouse and keyboard, not to mention browsing, usernames and passwords, and general internet navigation.
Enhances a Child’s Memory Capacity
Games frequently revolve around the use of memorization. This does not only apply to games in which children must remember details in order to solve the game, memorise critical sequences, or track narrative elements.
Aids in Quick Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
The majority of games require children to think quickly. Furthermore, they must use logic to think three steps ahead in order to solve problems and complete levels. This is fantastic because it will help children later in life as they develop their logic, accuracy, and ability to think on their feet and outside of the box.
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Games that require children to use a gamepad or a keyboard and mouse to play can aid in the development of hand-eye coordination. This not only familiarises them with how computers work, but it also aids in the development of hand-eye coordination because children must look at the action on the screen while using their hands to control what is happening at the same time.
Especially beneficial for children with attention deficits
According to research, online games can actually help children with attention disorders. This was concluded by a professor at Nottingham University (CNN covered it here), and it is a concept that has been repeated by many other researchers in related studies.
Developing Skills (e.g., map reading)
A lot of games have elements that help children with specific skills. Many mystery and adventure games, for example, include maps that children must read. This obviously improves their map reading and practical thinking skills. There are also games, such as football management games, that teach children about managing finances and general project management.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why online games can be beneficial to children. Thus, education and gaming are not enemies; in fact, many would argue that they are best friends. Parents must make quick, wise decisions in our free online learning games for kids. In order to win, most games require players to use strategic thinking and logic-based problem-solving. It’s difficult to think of a reason why improving these skills in children would be a bad thing. Memorization is frequently used in educational video games. Having a child work on improving their memory skills has a wide range of benefits.
