Why Geeking Out on Games is Good for Kids | Big Think

TL;DR

Games in education help develop social and emotional skills, language abilities, and various types of intelligence.

Transcript

Schools can be kind of Cromwellian places. They can be puritanical. They can be places where it's reading writing and arithmetic and nothing else. And games are actually quite educational if they're educational. When you say okay we're going to play Monopoly, the first half an hour is taken up by which rules we're playing by. And there's just ridic... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Games in education promote social skill development through rule negotiation.
• 👾 Non-verbal games like chess provide an opportunity for children with limited verbal abilities to excel.
• 👨‍🏫 Different types of intelligence should be recognized and nurtured in schools.
• ❓ Social and emotional skills are crucial for success in adulthood.
• 👾 Games offer a unique way to assess and develop a child's capabilities.
• 🥺 Varied educational experiences can lead to more significant growth and confidence.
• 👾 Chess is an example of a game that values non-verbal intelligence over verbal agility.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do games like Monopoly and chess benefit children's development?

Games like Monopoly teach negotiation skills, while chess allows children to excel in non-verbal intelligence, benefiting their overall development and confidence.

Q: Why is it important for schools to give space and time for social and emotional learning?

Social and emotional skills are essential for navigating adulthood, as seen in office politics and rule negotiation in games like foursquare.

Q: How can games help children with special needs or limited verbal abilities?

Games like chess provide a platform for children with limited verbal abilities to shine, fostering confidence and mastery.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Schools often focus solely on academic subjects, but games like Monopoly and foursquare teach kids important social skills through rule negotiation.

• Games like chess can benefit children with limited verbal abilities by allowing them to excel in non-verbal intelligence.

• Providing opportunities for different types of intelligence to thrive in school is crucial for overall growth and confidence.