Top games for promoting social and emotional development
Importance of Social and Emotional Development in Children
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a critical component of childhood development, helping children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), SEL helps children build self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, decision-making, and goal setting. These skills are transferable to other areas of life, such as the workplace and community involvement.
Research has shown that children who participate in SEL programs demonstrate improved academic achievement, better mental health, and stronger relationships with their peers. In addition, these skills can help young people navigate the complexities of adolescence and adulthood.
Top Games for Promoting Social and Emotional Development
Now that we understand the importance of SEL in children, let’s take a look at some of the top games that promote these skills.
Minecraft: A Sandbox Game for Collaboration and Creativity
Minecraft is a popular sandbox game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds. The game has been found to promote creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Players can work together to build structures, gather resources, and complete challenges. In addition, Minecraft has a variety of educational resources available, including lesson plans and guides for incorporating the game into classrooms.
According to Dr. Jill Vialet, CEO of GameMakers School, “Minecraft is a great tool for teaching collaboration, communication, and creativity. It allows players to work together to achieve common goals, which helps them develop strong relationships with their peers.”
Scratch: A Programming Platform for Critical Thinking and Creativity
Scratch is a programming platform that allows users to create interactive stories, games, and animations. The game has been found to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Players can work together to create complex programs and share their creations with others. In addition, Scratch has a variety of educational resources available, including lesson plans and guides for incorporating the game into classrooms.
Dr. Michael Wartella, professor of education at Southern Methodist University, says, “Scratch is a great tool for teaching programming and creativity. It allows students to work together to create complex programs and share their creations with others, which helps them develop strong collaboration skills.”
Pokemon Go: An Augmented Reality Game for Physical Activity and Social Interaction
Pokemon Go is an augmented reality game that allows players to catch and train virtual creatures in the real world. The game has been found to promote physical activity, social interaction, and exploration. Players can work together to catch rare creatures and complete challenges, which helps them develop strong relationships with their peers. In addition, Pokemon Go has a variety of educational resources available, including lesson plans and guides for incorporating the game into classrooms.
Dr. Richard Liu, associate professor of education at the University of Illinois, says, “Pokemon Go is a great tool for promoting physical activity and social interaction. It allows players to work together to catch rare creatures and complete challenges, which helps them develop strong collaboration skills.”
Animal Jam: An Online Game for Creativity, Problem-Solving, and Social Interaction
Animal Jam is an online game that allows players to create their own virtual pet and explore a variety of environments. The game has been found to promote creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. Players can work together to complete challenges and care for their virtual pets, which helps them develop strong relationships with their peers. In addition, Animal Jam has a variety of educational resources available, including lesson plans and guides for incorporating the game into classrooms.
Dr. Lisa Middleton, professor of education at the University of Central Florida, says, “Animal Jam is a great tool for teaching children social skills and online safety. It also promotes creativity and problem-solving, which can help students excel in other areas of their lives.”
In conclusion, games have the potential to promote positive social and emotional development in children.
