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Children learn many valuable skills while playing games, so that line between fun games and educational games easily becomes blurred. As an educator, I was taught that for a game to be considered educational it had to promote thinking skills. Educational games are a very important learning tool for children starting at a very early age. Children who play games tend to be more creative and interact with others on a better level.
Educational games need to be age appropriates. The games for preschoolers involve simple understanding. As a child gets older, the games need to grow with them to keep the level of learning in place. Educational games for older children often involve math skills and concepts. A great game I have used in the classroom is BINGO, with a twist. I call out a math problem and they have to come up with the answer. If the answer is on their card they can mark it.
Educational games allow children to learn while adding the element of fun to the mix. Since adults become so involved in work, they often forget it can be fun to. Maybe if we teach children that learning and fun can be used together it will carry over to the workforce with them later in life. Children who grow up playing educational games often keep that passion for learning alive. That is a very important gift to provide any child.
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