Outdoor Games can impart life skills like no other.
Overview
Games are a powerful tool in preschool education, fostering motivation, improving focus, and developing essential skills. Various studies support the integration of educational games to create a more effective and enjoyable learning environment for young children.
Key Findings
Impact on Motivation:
Games significantly boost children's excitement and motivation to learn.
Teachers observed higher enthusiasm and engagement during lessons that incorporated games.
Activities embedded in games make learning more enjoyable and encourage active participation.
Impact on Attention:
Games help capture and sustain children's attention during lessons.
Teachers noted that children were more focused, although their attention span was limited (often around 15 minutes).
The interactive and engaging nature of games makes them an effective tool to maintain short-term focus.
Impact on Skills:
The use of games enhances various skills, including:
Language skills: Improved vocabulary and communication in multiple languages.
Mathematical skills: Better basic counting and calculation abilities.
Social and teamwork skills: Encourages group activities, collaboration, and sharing.
Motor skills: Both fine (e.g., writing, coloring) and gross (e.g., running, jumping) motor skills are improved.
Thinking and problem-solving skills: Promotes creativity, decision-making, and critical thinking.
Methodology
The study utilized qualitative case studies and interviews with three preschool teachers in Batu Pahat, Johor.
The data were analyzed thematically to address the research objectives.
Implications
Incorporating games into the preschool curriculum aligns with the National Pre-School Standard Curriculum (2010), which emphasizes fun and meaningful learning.
Games are effective in developing cognitive, psychomotor, and social-emotional skills among preschoolers.
These findings highlight the importance of designing educational games tailored to preschoolers' developmental needs.
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