We all know that most kids love playing games. But did you know that learning to make video games can also be an educational experience? In this article, we will discuss why it’s important for kids to learn how to make games and not just play them. Not only does making games teach valuable skills such as coding, design thinking, and collaboration, but making games can also help develop problem-solving skills in children.
A study by the University of Wisconsin- Madison found that making games can actually help boost students’ grades, especially in math and science courses (Lemos & Agapitos).
Another study conducted at Stanford showed that students who were taught to make their own video games scored an average of 37 points higher on end-of-course exams compared with those who only read the lecture material (Mueller, Dweck & Yang). This is because making games helped children learn more deeply than traditional methods like reading or listening to lectures.
Moreover making games helps kids develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity which are all excellent qualities for long-term success after college!
Making your own game also encourages you to develop skills in collaboration which are valued by leading companies and employers. Being able to work well with others is a valuable skill that will help kids get ahead in the future.
Should you encourage your child to learn to make video games?
Kids making video games are not just fun but can also be educational! Why don’t you start teaching your child how to make their own game today?
For those parents who are concerned about the amount of time their children spend playing video games, there is some good news. Playing and making video games actually enhances each other which means that making a game will encourage kids to play more (Gee). So why not let them learn and play at the same time?
Making games is a great activity for kids to engage in because they can learn valuable future skills such as coding, design thinking, and collaboration. Not only that but making games will help them develop transferable skills like problem-solving which are important after college. Finally playing video games actually enhances learning so why not let your child do both?
If you do then you might be asking what you can do to help them get started. Read on to find out how you can.
Steps to getting your child started designing and coding their own video games:
– The first step is to get them interested in making games. You can do this by playing popular video games with your child and then showing them how they are made. Roblox is a free platform for both playing and making games.
– Next, you should show your kiddo some game design tutorials which will help teach them the basics of coding and game design. Then let their creativity take over! This step will encourage children to develop problem-solving skills as well as critical thinking abilities through trial and error.
– After that, sit down together for an hour a day to work on their project. Try working alongside kids so that they learn valuable collaboration skills like sharing ideas with others without getting upset or frustrated (Mueller & Oppenheimer)
You can also sign them up for game design and coding classes where they can learn more advanced skills while also meeting other kiddos who are interested in the same subjects. Plus it’s a chance for them to make friends with kids that share similar interests!
So let your little ones discover their inner game maker and encourage them to embrace design thinking by starting young! It is never too early or late to start making games- after all, playtime should be educational!
