Surprising Benefits of Online Gaming for Kids – do you know about these?
Does your child love spending time on his video game? Ever wondered how this game could be more than just entertainment? When you think of online gaming, you might just picture countless hours of screen time and kids getting fussier after that. However, recent studies show that they can actually foster many abilities, including problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and encourage teamwork.
Many online games require collaboration with other players and strategic planning that can significantly enhance social interactions and communication skills. Additionally, the virtual space these games have can allow children to explore new interests, which again can uplift their moods and keep them active. There is no denying here that moderation is key but when used rightly and responsibly, online games can contribute to the development of several capabilities in children.
Still not convinced? Well, in that case, please keep reading. This blog explores some of these benefits in detail.
Unlocks Memory Power
When I first saw my children getting into the habit of online gaming, I was skeptical about their benefits. Although I did my research and found out how they have amazing positive impacts, but somewhere still had major second thoughts.
However, as time passed, I noticed that they could recall game details and strategies with great accuracy. It turned out that these games were slowly boosting their memory. Yes, that had happened and I had to allot a specific time during the day or at least thrice a week for this activity. If you are looking for suggestions here, Peak is a great game to enhance brain concentration and memory skills.
Fun Fact: Peak offers up to 40 brain-training programs designed by leading neuroscientists to improve your memory. So, you HAVE to try it out yourself!
Just make sure that you have a reliable internet service that is also good in terms of speed for this game. Most of the levels require high-speed internet and when there are delays, you are by default made to start the entire level, which is quite frustrating.
Pro Tip: Spectrum Internet has great speeds for online gaming with affordable plans. Cherry on top, this internet provider comes with zero data caps, which means you do not even have to worry about exceeding data.
Enhances Teamwork and Collaboration
It would not be wrong to say that online gaming has completely changed the way we think about teamwork. Gone are the days when meeting up in person was necessary to strategize and collaborate for a game. Online gamers these days have the option to connect virtually from different parts of the world. This not only boosts their communication skills, but also gives them a chance to know gamers from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures. Not to mention, how this helps them build trust and understanding among team members, which eventually broadens adaptability. Only parents here can relate how crucial that is.
Mario Kart Tour is my personal favorite for team building. We often play it as a family and it has helped us communicate better for sure.
Fun Fact: You can play against SEVEN players in this game. Yes, that’s right! Now you know how it aids in team building.
Improves Problem-solving Skills
Have you ever noticed online games can train your brain in ways similar to complicated puzzles? You will find a bunch of modern online games that have been specially designed to challenge problem-solving skills of players. They need to think critically and come up with strategies in a limited amount of time. And you will be surprised to know that kids these days can come up with techniques that are way better than our imagination. I have seen my kids strategize and adapt quickly to problems in a game. Hence, safe to say that kids are smarter than we are. If you are also looking for ways to improve the cognitive development of your child, I suggest you find some helpful online games. A suggestion here would be Sudoku and Egg Drop. Both are very effective and beneficial.
Fun Fact: Did you know there has been a worldwide Sudoku Championship every year since Mar 2006? Yes, you can surely participate, too. The inaugural Sudoku Championship took place in Lucca, Italy.
This brings us to the end of this post. Online games can indeed offer more than just fun. They can significantly enhance memory, improve cognitive abilities and strengthen social bonds and all these lead to reducing stress. So, let’s embrace the potential of online games and boost various skills in our children.
References
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-gaming-advice/online-gaming-the-benefits/
