Why are games and toys so important for children?
Why are games and toys so important for children?
Games and toys are important to children of all ages, from the youngest babies all the way up to children going into junior high school or even high school. There are many different reasons why these games and toys are important, and they change depending on the age group of the child involved in playing with them. Parents who want to know why it’s so important to provide their kids with games and toys should read this article to find out more information about why these types of activities are so beneficial to children of all ages.
Games help strengthen motor skills
Games teach social behavior
Children learn how to interact with their peers, develop social skills, and make decisions based on rules. The better they are at making decisions, interacting with others, or following a set of rules, the more popular they’ll be in school.
Games help sharpen focus
One of the easiest ways to prevent learning difficulties in young people is to teach them how to focus at an early age. And, guess what? Games are an excellent way to do just that. Playing a few rounds of a strategic game helps sharpen your child’s focus. So, take it from us – if you want a smarter kid, make sure they play games regularly.
Playing with others strengthens relationships
There’s a reason kids spend so much time fighting over who gets to be Mario—and it’s not just because they don’t know how to split Joy-Con. From board games to hide-and-seek, playing together is what fosters trust, respect, empathy, and—oh yeah—fun. Playing with others strengthens our relationships with them. And by working through those early misunderstandings, we develop our social skills from a young age. Game on!
Learning a new skill is fun!
I’m sure that you, as a child, have learned something new when you were having fun. Just remember how happy it made you feel when you tried something out of your comfort zone. If your child is struggling with a subject in school, take them to a toy store or someplace where they can learn about a subject that excites them. Giving them some time to enjoy an activity will help get rid of negative feelings surrounding learning new skills.
Games can reduce stress levels
Think about how you feel when you play a game. It’s likely that you feel more relaxed, less stressed and better able to cope with a situation. Games can be effective stress relievers because they take our minds off what’s troubling us by engaging us in an activity that requires focus. Games also help keep your brain active, which is particularly helpful as we age; staying mentally fit can be key to lowering stress levels and decreasing depressive symptoms.
Playing encourages creativity
Toys provide kids with a variety of opportunities to make something out of nothing. Playing with dolls, trucks, or blocks helps your child develop hand-eye coordination, expand their creativity, and problem-solve. When you give your kid a doll or truck that talks or makes sounds, they have to figure out how it works—which leads to countless hours of fun! Likewise with puzzles—puzzles help children focus on what they’re doing while sharpening their motor skills.
Exercising your brain makes you smarter
Studies have shown that young adults, ages 18 to 25, can improve their thinking skills by 30 percent after spending as little as two hours a week playing a video game. Studies have also shown that older adults can experience similar benefits—improving memory and concentration—from playing puzzle-based video games. If you want to boost your brain power, try an online game today!
No comments: