Gamification is the use of typical game elements like rules of play, point system, and competition in other activities. And when you gamify your typical home study sessions, learning becomes not only fun but also effective!
Take mathematics for example.
True, mastery of basic math is a reward on its own. But learning the subject can suck the energy out of your child. Mathematics can be dry, full of numbers, problems to solve, and formulas to memorize like the back of your hand.
But in a research by Deakin University, gamifying lessons altered students attitudes to math for the better, increased motivation, and led to more success overall.
In another study by The Australian Journal of Educational & Developmental Psychology, using video games in lessons helped children with ADHD calm their breathing and heart rate, leading to a positive impact to their behavior.
The findings of the study above goes against the notion that ADHD results from overuse of video games.
So if you want to add brain games and gamification to you and your child's daily lessons, check out the following websites.
This is NatGeo's gym for the brain! Visitors get access to tricky puzzles and mind-bending videos of tricks to give your grey matter a good exercise.
FunBrain is oozing with goodies for children of different ages, with books, lesson-packed games, and entertaining cartoons.
"Learning should be fun and challenging...not boring" is the website's motto. Find games for just about any skill, including keyboarding, spelling, logic, and memory.
Interactive and brain-stimulating games for everyone! Many of the games are rich in imagery which visual learners are sure to love.
This high-quality animated educational site for young learners encompasses a wide range of subjects like science, social studies, language, math, arts, music, and more.