Game-based learning is a positive educational approach that challenges the growing trend, particularly since the late 20th century, of separating play from learning in increasingly rigid ways. As intergenerational knowledge, culture, and understanding become less integrated into children’s leisure activities, game-based education seeks to bridge the gap between entertainment and learning. This pedagogical method can be effectively applied both in classrooms and at home!
The benefits of game-based learning
Game-based learning focuses on using playful activities to engage children’s interest and facilitate their learning. This approach has the dual advantage of creating a joyful educational environment that fosters a love for learning, while also allowing children to reap the natural benefits of play. Through play, children can organize, manipulate, imagine, interact, and explore, promoting holistic development that encompasses cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth.
Game-based learning has the virtue of enabling children to learn with less effort. Because play motivates children and brings them joy, it helps transform their relationship with knowledge, breaking down the barriers they often face in traditional classroom learning, such as shyness, lack of confidence, fear of failure, and apprehension about putting in effort.
Through game-based learning, children’s creativity and critical thinking are encouraged. Play creates a world of possibilities that children can explore in countless ways by taking on various roles. This playful pedagogical approach makes children active participants in their education: they engage in shaping their own learning and developing skills that will benefit them throughout their lives, beyond their academic journey.
How to implement game-based learning?
Game-based learning is an essential educational tool for teachers, allowing them to adapt their pedagogical approaches based on the needs of the children and the complexity of the concepts being taught. Game-based learning in the classroom can take the form of free play or structured games, depending on the educational objectives. It’s important to define these objectives before selecting the games and to strategically integrate moments of game-based learning into the daily educational schedule, especially in elementary school where formal learning is more prevalent. The effectiveness of this approach can then be assessed to refine it and apply it to other themes, concepts, and goals.
Game-based learning in preschool
Game-based learning is a prominent approach in preschool, where children engage in singing games, reading activities, and tangram puzzles. The use of digital resources now enhances this game-based pedagogical approach. For instance, the educational software “La Course aux Nombres” offers a variety of fun activities for teaching different mathematical concepts to preschoolers.
Game-based learning in elementary school
In elementary school, game-based learning is particularly effective for teaching mathematics, especially in helping children solve problems. Card games can support mental math practice, and card games like “War” can even aid in understanding number order and comparing integers. Many other educational games can be used in the classroom to enhance spelling skills or develop analogical reasoning; classics such as Hangman, “Petit Bac” (or Scattergories), and charades are among the must-haves.
In conclusion
The socializing virtues of game-based learning (particularly through the teaching of rules) and its effectiveness in helping children grasp theoretical concepts make play an ideal learning tool for both parents and educators. This approach can be applied to subjects like science, history, mathematics, and French. The Galilée School, an bilingual institution for gifted children in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, integrates game-based learning into its core pedagogical principles. From preschool to secondary school, fostering a lasting love of learning is the school’s guiding philosophy.