40 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JULY 2021
What Schools and Parents can Learn from Video Games and
How it Can Revolutionize Learning
Kimberly Nix Berens, Ph.D.
Author, Blind spots and Founder of FitLearning
www.FitLearning.com
As parents, we’ve been concerned about the
impact of video games for a long time. Our
concerns have only worsened during this
pandemic, as housebound kids spend more time
on their electronic devices while we attempt to
juggle the chaos that has become our new normal.
But what if our child’s ability to master video
games and become addicted to them could
actually show us how well our children learn and
how to teach them so they become happy and
successful learners?
Take a page from the Game Developer Playbook
as a Parent.
Here are the 5 top things game developers do well
that parents and educators should do to make
sure kids are successful and excited about school.
(spoiler alert: It’s behavioral science)
1. Kids must master lower levels of the game first
before advancing to higher levels. Mastery of each
level requires the achievement of fluency – or the
ability to accurately perform a task quickly and
repeatedly.
Don’t move a kid up a level or a grade until
they have shown fluency in the lower level
skills. No exceptions. Forget about a kid’s
age or number of years in school. Fluency
should be the ONLY determining factor in
advancement. Difficulty should increase only
after mastery.
2. Kids are given reinforcers for achievements such as
earning points, gaining access to new characters, tools
or weapons.
It doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive or flashy but it
has to be earned. Kids respond to screen time, points
to turn in for prizes, money for shopping. Let them
earn and they will perform happily.
3. Kids must engage in repeated practice of the skills
required to become fluent at the game and advance.
Repeat, repeat and then repeat again until they get
it. Each time they get it right, make it a big deal
and give them the reinforcer. Repetition can be fun
if its met with an earned reinforcer.Just watch the
Gamers.
4. Provide learning with high energy and excitement.
Kids respond to high energy and joy. Cheer them on
as they do their chores. Make a big deal when they
get a problem right. Inject energy into learning.
5. Kids can become addicted to learning if this type of
instruction is used. Yup it’s true and we see it every
day at Fit Learning. We use this behavioral science
based approach to learning and we are getting the
same addicted, committed and happy response to
learning that you often only see from your kids when
they are playing video games.
Summer Programs Available. Learn more at:
www.FitLearning.com call 516-801-4817
or email admin@fitlearners.com
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