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Studies have shown that certain games can help younger children improve early reading skills with the support of parents and teachers. Games like “Times Table Rock Stars” used in elementary schools and preschool apps like “Endless Alphabet” can be great tools to help kids learn in a more engaging way. In addition, with the growth of connected toys, children can experience physical play while playing on devices. Educational toys like Osmo combine tactile play pieces with a device’s camera to bring the action in the game to life. Studies show that children who play video games can get a small boost in their reading skills.

They use cognitive and functioning skills that are often difficult to utilize and control for children with these disorders. In fact, just one hour of video game play can increase the brain’s ability to concentrate. I call it “involuntary learning” here because the things we’re talking about — learning new information and new skills — aren’t the explicit goal of the games they play, but rather an “unintended consequence” of playing them. “Those who didn’t play video games reported more negative emotions” and were more likely to be depressed. It is unclear what exactly is behind this link, or whether the relationship is even causal. Role-playing games and other strategy games can help strengthen problem-solving skills.

I know, it’s a strange idea, but as of 2019, the average American spent about 16 minutes reading per day, up from 23 minutes in 2004. Many employers still value the ability to read and analyze complex material more than remembering the location of hidden objects. Here’s the best excuse to play video games on your next sick day: A 2012 literature review published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that in the 38 video game studies examined, the health outcomes of 195 patients improved on all fronts, including psychological and physical therapy.

There is little research that says violent video games are bad for your mental health. Almost any game that encourages decision-making and critical thinking is beneficial for your mental health. While it may not seem obvious at first, video games are fantastic vehicles for learning new skills.

The connection between playing video games and creative thinking is perhaps not particularly surprising, as most video games require players to develop new solutions to various problems in a short period of time. Overcoming various challenges Wonderland in the game can foster thinking outside the box and help develop more complex problem-solving skills. Many of the multiplayer games allow you to connect with people around the world and get real-time feedback on how well you’re playing.

As parents, we focus more on the potential dangers than on the potential benefits of electronic video games, but these games are a normal part of modern childhood. If you know what to look for, video games can be a powerful tool to help children develop certain life skills. They can help parents choose suitable games for leisure, help educators look for ways to complement classroom teaching, and help game developers create games that teach. “Because of their engaging experiences and enriching virtual 3D environments, the same video games that have been played by both children and adults for decades can actually provide our brains with significant stimulation,” the researchers wrote. Most video games require quick reactions and split-second decisions that can mean the difference between virtual life and virtual death. Cognitive neuroscientists at the University of Rochester in New York found that these games give players’ brains a lot of practice for making real-world decisions.

It is in this state that different types of learning can occur. Games are also great learning tools because people want to play them. In addition, playing with others can strengthen the activity socially, making them want to play more. Of course, while computer games can be socially beneficial, you should also play them in moderation. In this case, excessive video game play can negate all the positive social effects that moderate gambling normally brings. Parents should be wary of signs that their children are developing antisocial behavior and retreat too far into their gaming world.

You may have heard that our children are going through a mental health crisis, the result of some distance education and isolation caused by COVID-19. There are proven strategies to improve mental health, and playing video games is not one of them. Before your child sits down in front of a video game screen, ask if some fresh air is in order. While video games themselves aren’t bad for your mental health, getting addicted to them can be. When you start to feel like you’re using video games as an escape, you may need to slow down. Research shows that video games can also be good for your brain in other ways.

Whether it’s obsessing with Candy Crush while commuting in the morning, playing video games with friends, or even sharing a private joke with your partner or coworker, most people are playful and yet the benefits can go unnoticed or cherished. According to the Pew ResearchTeens report, Technology and Friendships, most children play online video games with friends. Thanks to the internet, our children are not isolated when they play online, many of them navigate skills that include team building and cooperative play to achieve goals and accomplish complicated missions in their games. Research has shown that playing video games can promote the acquisition of a variety of skills and abilities, including creative thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and ingenuity, and leadership skills. Whether kids are playing multiplayer games with friends or using apps like “Heads up” with family in the living room, these types of games can help nurture relationships through shared moments and improve their social skills.