Surprising Benefits of Video Games for Children

Most parents tend to treat video games as a potential threat to their offspring’s wellbeing. There’s an opinion that playing video games can be as addictive as drugs, alcohol, and gambling. Video games are also said to interfere with kids’ ability to interact with peers and establish contacts in the real world. Some psychologists warn parents against letting their children spend much time in front of screens and recommend setting limits on playing computer games. The aforementioned can make parents think that there’s nothing good about playing video games at all. But it’s not quite true.

It’s difficult to imagine a life of a modern kid without such things as smartphones, computers, and tablet PCs. We all like gadgets and can’t deny the fact that they make our life more interesting, fun, and easier, of course. It’s a rare person who doesn’t have a ton of games on their phone or iPad. So, why deny children this right? Recent studies have found that video games can be beneficial to children’s development, provided that they have restricted time limits and are age-appropriate. If parents know what to look for, they can get excellent tools for developing and improving their kids’ specific skills, increasing young learners’ interest in studies, and creating a more positive environment necessary for raising a happy child. Below you can find some of the surprising benefits of gaming.

Relaxation and Bonding with Children

If played in moderation, video games can be a inexhaustible source of fun and positive emotions. There are lots of people who prefer to play games after a long work day or a marathon of hardcore studying. I, myself, asked a research paper writers to help me write my research paper to have more time for gaming, which was the best way to relax back in the day. As for children, they also find video games extremely entertaining and exciting. Playing a learning video game after school can distract children from school failures and have a calming effect on them.

Moreover, playing games can bring parents and their offspring together. Children, who quickly become experts in games, have an opportunity to reverse the traditional pattern of parent-child relationship. It’s not a secret that when it comes to gaming, children can assume a role of mentors instructing their parents in the ways of a particular game. They willingly demonstrate their skillfulness and allow parents to learn from their experience. Playing a game, not necessarily an educational one, side-by-side facilitates family conversations, promotes bonding and building trusting relationships.

Bringing Up Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

As we have noted, specific video games can promote brain development. Many computer games encourage children to search for specific items and read various guidelines and tutorials to get necessary information. Games also spur them to devise strategies, negotiate, bargain, plan, and do other things children normally don’t do. Such games as Sim City, Bakugan: Defenders of the Core, and world-famous Cut the Rope help children develop problem-solving skills. When playing them, kids learn to calculate their moves in advance, come up with effective solutions to in-game problems, and predict consequences. Many games, including Minecraft, one of the most popular modern video games, allow players to customize their character’s appearance, create unique worlds, and decorate their dwellings in an extravagant manner. Thus, games encourage kids to express themselves creatively and artistically. As you see, there’s no need to be obsessed with “educational” games. There’re lots of entertaining games that can help your children learn to make decisions, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and express their personalities.

Sparking Interest in Science

Though it may be hard to believe, video games don’t only distract children from learning but also encourage them to explore the unknown and assimilate knowledge. Lots of modern children learn about Ancient Greece and Egypt from Zuma und Plants VS Zombies. Such games as Age of Empires or Civilization can also inspire a young player’s interest in history and geography. They don’t only present distant countries and long-gone epochs as a backdrop against which the gaming action is unfolded, but also kindle children’s imagination by demonstrating colorful pictures and telling captivating stories about mythical creatures, ancient cultures, and faraway places.

Making New Friends

Contrary to popular belief, video games don’t always doom children to isolation. Most kids view them as a social activity and make lots of new friends in games. Indeed, kids that play one game can easily find common ground. They discuss their strategies, achievements, and other in-game aspects, which can bring them together. Plus, according to the recent research, kids, who lag behind educationally and having difficulty establishing contacts in their classroom, confess they start playing video games to make new friends.

Promote Healthy Competition

If there’s a thing that can best promote competition it’s definitely video gaming. Competing for recognition and status is commonplace among kids, especially teenagers. No wonder they try their best to overcome their gaming pals and win long coveted victory. Kids learn to focus on their goals, employ their skills, and compose themselves, which are prerequisites for winning. Video games provide a safe place to compete and test one’s skills, and help kids, who are not adept at sports, taste victory.