Kids love video games. Once they start, it’s hard
to make them stop! Yet games require time and effort to master. Players must
develop new skills by doing repetitive tasks. Over and over and over. And they
must have a high tolerance for failure and frustration.
When you put it that way, gaming doesn’t sound
like fun at all. So why do kids love it?
According to renowned psychologist Mark Lepper,
video game designers may understand motivation better than anyone else. Their job is to keep kids glued to the screen. Here are four lessons that teachers
and parents can use to help their students glued to other things -- school, music lessons
1. Feedback.
Knowing how you are doing is so important! When children play video games, they
constantly receive updates, points and feedback. They never have to wonder how
they’re doing.
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| Feedback is everywhere! |
If you want to keep your child going, give them
feedback. Don’t just point out what they’re doing wrong! Tell them what they’re
doing right. Not only does this keep them on track, but it also shows them that
their goals are important to you, too.
Click here
for tips on how to provide the most effective feedback.
2. Sub-goals.
Kids have a difficult time with goals that are too far off. Wanting to be a
doctor someday just isn’t enough to keep a six-year-old going. For very young
children (2-3 years), even a goal that takes more than a few days can be too
difficult. They have to break it down into smaller goals to celebrate along the
way.
Games like Super Mario Brothers 3 wouldn’t have
been nearly as successful if each world had been one huge level. Instead, they
broke it down into a series of structured challenges, with surprises and
rewards at key points.
For tips on how to help your child set good goals,
click here.
3. Challenge.
Remember flow? That state of being pleasantly and completely absorbed by a
goal-driven activity? That is exactly what good video games provide to your
children. They match the level and tempo of the game’s challenges to each
player’s skills. Games that fail to do this – such as games involving fashion
or virtual dolls – are usually the ones that don’t take.
How can you apply this to your child’s reading?
One way is by using an online reading tool like StudyDog.
Like a video game, StudyDog matches the pace
of the reading challenges to your child’s level. This way, they won’t get bored
(when it’s too easy) or frustrated (when it’s too hard).
You can also help your child find books that are
just right for their level. If you’re not sure what that level is, download one
of these free and easy tests to find out.
Click here for the
Schonell Reading Test.
Click here
for the San Diego Quick Assessment.
4. Second
(and third, and fourth, and fifth) chances. In video games, the outcome is
never final. If a rock crushes you, you go back to the beginning of the level
and try again. You may lose some points, but it is never your last chance.
When your child faces an obstacle to their goal,
remember to always focus on how they can fix it, or what they should do next
time. Remind them that there will always be a next time.
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| Note: This does NOT say, “GAME OVER – THAT WAS YOUR LAST CHANCE AND YOU CAN NEVER TRY THIS AGAIN!” |
So go ahead – try these strategies with your child! Whether
they want to learn a new song on the piano or improve their reading scores or
anything else, these tips will help keep your child motivated and
on track.
Parents: Do you have
any tips you would add to this list?
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