English Games for Kids

Language is acquired in many ways by younger children – by paying attention to what is being said, by responding, by being exposed to language. But once kids get to school they have to get into the details. For these rules to be absorbed, a sustained effort is required and this means many rounds of practice and drills.

For this reason, English lessons often include activities and worksheets. English games, which give kids adequate practice but in a fun virtual environment, have also gained favor among educators. But can language be learnt via English games? The answer is both yes and no.

“OLPC” by Lizette Greco is licensed under CC BY 2.0

·         Grammar – Often viewed as a dull subject involving many rules, grammar is one area where online games can work magic. They not only provide simple explanations but offer practice as well. They are designed to be entertaining, which makes kids more receptive to learning and practicing the language.

·         Vocabulary – “A man with a scant vocabulary will almost certainly be a weak thinker…If you do not know the words, you can hardly know the thing.” These words by Henry Hazlitt emphasize the importance of vocabulary. Kids are like sponge and they absorb new words easily. English games to improve vocab and spelling can include puzzles, online board games and more.

“Colors Typing Game” by Peter Pumkin is licensed under CC BY 2.0

·         Reading & Comprehension – With interactive apps in the market, kids can enjoy reading with their help. A larger vocabulary also helps them in these reading activities.

·         Writing – Not all online games help kids write but we do have apps that get kids to practice handwriting and tracing letters.  There are apps that help with the writing process, story structure and building sentences. Online tools like writing prompts and blogs can be used to get kids to practice writing.

“student_ipad_school – 093” by Brad Flickinger is licensed under CC BY 2.0

·         Listening & Speaking – These are two skills that need to be built through active participation and online English games can only take you so far. Activities and offline games are the best way for kids to learn to listen and talk well.

You can make the most of the English games available to teach the basics of language like grammar, vocabulary and reading. A sound foundation in this will help kids write, talk and speak better!

How Digital Games Help Kids with Disabilities

Digital games have earned both bouquets and brickbats from parents and educators. Owing to the high level of engagement it offers and its popularity with kids, it is a great tool that can be used to involve kids in learning. It also helps kids with disabilities as it takes away the pressure of traditional learning in classrooms that can often prove to be frustrating.

The online world offers a variety of games for kids. From strategy games to educational games, the variety is endless. There are also games that are designed for specific learning disorders. While certain iPad apps can be used to teach kids diagnosed with autism and dyslexia, those with fine motor skills disability can benefit from activities and games for kids that allow them to practice these skills.  There are also games for kids with vision impairment, ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome and others.

“Toca Boca” by tocaboca is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Why Digital Games?

Digital games can provide teaching and support outside classrooms with educational and developmental benefits. Though disabilities may differ in nature and severity, games allow for the element of fun which can relax kids and open them up to learning.

Learning through online games helps kids develop and practice new skills in a safe environment before they practice them in the real world. Skills learnt can range from life skills to hand-eye coordination. It is possible to plan individualized learning with online games for kids. Children can control the pace of their learning and repeat an activity until they grasp it.

“Playing on the computer” by john is licensed under CC BY 2.0

How to Find Games for Kids with Disabilities

There is no dearth of online resources for kids with special needs. A child may not be struggling in all areas, and not all subjects or skills may be challenging. It is important to consider their skills and also take into account their interests while finding the right games for them. The level of difficulty can be selected by assessing their skills.

Games for Kids with Special Needs

Some of the games for kids include Orsinal’s flash games that help develop motor skills and they can be played with a single click mouse. Dyslexic learners may benefit from audiobooks like Learning Ally. A website that has developed games keeping in mind the needs of autistic children is WhizKidGames. Another game for autistic kids is Mouse Trial, which can help kids learn communication skills. TapToTalk is also designed to help those with difficulties in speech, across all age groups. iPad’s apps Flashcards for iPad and AppWriter can be used for those with reading and writing disabilities.

Technology has opened up new avenues of learning for children with disabilities. By understanding the specific needs of the child and the challenges they face, it is possible to make the best use of the online resources that are available.