A belief shared by many parents is that video games are bad for children because they’re just addictive sources of entertainment. That’s not true. Even though it might not look like it, children gain a lot of skills from playing video games. Let’s talk about 4 of them.

1) It encourages reading.

Because games have a fun factor, a child who is reluctant to open a traditional book will be more open to reading if a game they’re playing contains text instructions.

2) It improves their problem-solving abilities.

Many games involve things like puzzles and mysteries, offering players a chance to focus on solving a problem using planning, organisation, and flexible thinking.

3) It enhances their coordination.

A lot of video games require players to move joysticks and press buttons while observing various things on the screen that are important to their success in the game.

4) It develops their social skills.

Multi-player games (in reality or online) encourage players to engage in constant communication, leading to the possible building of meaningful or causal relationships between them.

You know what’s better than a child playing video games? Making their own games from scratch. This is why you should sign your children up for Mobo Game Jam.

Mobo Game Jam is an international game-making competition where young innovators (aged 8-18) from Nigeria and the UK compete to create games aimed at solving a global problem.

Lack of access to clean water.

Winners stand the opportunity to get cash prizes, laptops and see their games showcased live, spreading awareness of the importance of making clean water available to everyone in the defence against climate change.

Click here to sign up: www.mobojam.org 

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Zikoko amplifies African youth culture by curating and creating smart and joyful content for young Africans and the world.