by gabelfisch

Article by Jewell King

Children’s educational games are becoming increasingly popular. Many children’s games today are specifically designed to have an educational input. They are about teaching children particular subjects such as language, mathematics, social science, general science, problem solving, critical thinking and socialisation.

Children’s educational games seek to expand concepts, reinforce child development and assist the child to understand the world in which they live. They are also aimed at developing computer and other technological skills.

Many educational games for children are quite simple. A great resource are children websites which have been developed by various corporations to promote their commercial products. My daughter for example accesses some of these such as Nick Jr and Wiggletime. Their is no apology for this type of commercialism because they contribute greatly to the welfare of children. Others are more sophisticated which older children and adults can enjoy. For example I find Democracy a great game to play. This game is being used by senior schools in particular to teach their students the elements of politics.

Computer games have in the past received a lot of criticism however this is changing as people become more aware of the educational content of modern games. In the past, parents have considered computer games as mindless and wasteful entertainment that children should not be wasting their time with. Even some older children in the past thought of educational games as being boring and not worthwhile spending their valuable time with when there are many more interesting and exciting games that they can play.

This attitude has changed as educational games for children have increasingly combined the elements of entertainment and education. Increasingly parents and older children have used educational games as a means of develop their ability to utilise digital technology.

More research has also been done studying the uses of modern computer games with researches finding that they can be utilised very effectively in the school class room. Some strategy games have been used to develop numerous skills. Strategy games are very good at promoting analytical and problem solving skills. These games raise scenarios that require students to work out strategies to overcome many life issues. Rollercoaster Tycoon for example provides opportunities to consider how one would develop a commercial environment such as a theme park. Other strategy games might include a child in the process of developing a society or community.

As computers are being used more and more as an educational resource and providing games for children to play it has become increasingly necessary for developers to be aware of a number of issues. Developers of online children games in particular need to have a well developed understanding of child development and thought processes including their ability to learn new concepts and use these to be creative and innovative. Developers also need to know how to balance the educational and entertainment elements of games.

Thre are a multitude of educational games thesed days that target the younger audience. Even games for children as young as three. Even typing games are now utilised to teach the basics of typing so children can not become typist at a very young age and develop the skills to use a computer, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals.

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