Game-Based Learning
Roger Fields
Nothing involves/engages kids like games. NOTHING. Kids are wired to play, not listen, not watch. PLAY. Period. As in PERIOD. Nothing engages kids more than playing a game.
They want to be involved. They want to do stuff. You can show kids the latest, cool movie, but if you stand to the side and offer to play a fun game/exciting game with them, they will choose to play the game. Why? Because that’s the way kids are. They crave the opportunity to simply be a kid. That means “PLAY.” The exciting thing is that they learn best that way.
The world is wobbly. It is changing so fast it’s disruptive to everything. Kids feel it. They know there’s trouble. They hear us talk. They see glimpses on the news. They know something’s up. Nothing enrages me more than a kid having their childhood stolen from them. Kids shouldn’t have to worry about bullying, the economy, their parents splitting up, war, sickness, and on and on and on and on. But they do. Playing a simple game usually/always gets their mind off their fears for a few minutes. Why should we play games with kids? I just gave it to you.
Competition is a fact, Jack. Life is competitive. You better learn how to win, and you better learn how to lose. Both will happen to everyone. Often. The world is not a cushy place. Everything, not just sports, has an element of competition: job hunting, dating, working, driving (sometimes), getting into the shortest checkout lane, school, etc. Is it crazy? Yes. Is it out-of-control? Yes. Is it just plain wrong? Probably. But you don’t deal with the world you want; you deal with the world you have. Competition is woven into the fabric of life. Games–done right–create an out-of-harm’s-way to learn that.
Make games a little competitive and a lot of fun. If you make them a lot competitive and a little fun, you destroy the benefit.
When you keep winning and losing in perspective, games offer a valuable lesson. They allow kids to push themselves in a safe environment. Life requires they learn how to win and do it with grace. Life requires they learn how to lose and do it with dignity. Games help train a child for living. Every one of them will win sometimes; every one of them will lose sometimes.
Competition is not evil. Even Paul, the apostle, used a little competition to motivate Christians.
I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. (2 Corinthians 9:2 NLT)
Paul was motivating the Macedonians to be givers based on what the Corinthians had done. He used one group to motivate the other. They did it; so you know you can do it too. Good competition does that. It motivates one group based on what another group has done…or is doing.
Roger’s New Translation: “The Corinthian team did it! Let’s see what the Macedonian team can do!” (RNT).
Still Not Convinced! TAKE THE TEST
Go to a park where there are kids.
Set up a TV screen and play the best video you’ve got.
Next to it invite kids to play games.
Watch where the kids go.
They will opt to play games every time.
I don’t even want to teach Children’s Church without some type of fun activity or game involvement. Now I know why. It clears a child’s mind of the everyday challenges they tend to face. when children are involved with play, the lesson sticks to their brains. Hopefully when they play that game elswhere, the principles that were taught will pop back into their heads.