Computer games in senior preschool age
Quizzes: games on various topics, including questions that must be answered by choosing one answer from the proposed ones or without answer options. These games develop a child’s memory, thinking, logic, perception, attention, and sometimes it is necessary to hear sounds - the development of hearing.
Find the odd one out: These tigers present two pictures that need to be compared with each other and find all their distinctive features. Thanks to such games, children develop visual attention and memory.
There are also special sites consisting of a set of computer games aimed at the comprehensive development of children of senior preschool age. Such sites include:
KidsSmart: This site includes a huge number of games for children of all ages, from early childhood to the fourth grade of elementary school. By selecting the required age, a list appears with games aimed at developing attention, memory, and logic; studying time, counting, the alphabet, simple functions of mathematics (addition and subtraction), there is also a section where the child can compare objects, look for differences and similarities, study and consolidate knowledge about a variety of geometric shapes and color palettes. This site is useful because it can be used at every age, namely in our case from five years to seven, and the tasks will become more complicated depending on the age of the child. For example, a section with the Russian language and additional mathematics will be added to games for seven-year-old children. [Appendix 1.1]
Logiclike: this site develops logic and thinking, memory and attention, mathematical abilities and ingenuity. Here are games for children from five years old to seven. With each age, games and tasks become more complex. After completing a certain number of tasks, children are given certificates of completion of these stages. Children need to listen carefully to the task and complete it. Here are some of the tasks:
Put things in order: in this game you need to find the third sticker in a row. The child is presented with a picture where he must understand what kind of sticker it is. [Appendix 1.2]
3D thinking: here the child needs to listen to the task and paint the circle blue where the activity requires it. For example: color the button above red. [Appendix 1.3]
Chapter 2 Conclusions
Teachers of various preschool educational institutions actively use computer games in activities with children, which helps to comprehensively develop the child’s personality, allows them to arouse interest in the lesson and more effectively consolidate the acquired knowledge. The older the child gets, the more interesting and difficult the chosen game should be. At the moment, there are a large number of games aimed at comprehensive child development. To do this, you can use the following computer games: games located on third-party media (disk), downloaded games taken from the Internet, online games that do not need to be downloaded, and also specialized sites have been created on which a set of educational games has already been developed for everyone age. Based on the opinions of educators who use computer games in educational activities with children, we can come to the conclusion that by playing these games, the child becomes more self-confident, independent, develops such qualities as: responsibility, attentiveness, activity, strengthens memory. Also, every teacher is confident that the use of computer games in educational activities with children is currently a necessary condition for maintaining interest. Thanks to pre-prepared or developed card files, the teacher can quickly and efficiently prepare for the lesson. Play is the main activity of a preschooler, thanks to which the child gains new knowledge and consolidates old ones in a form that is interesting to him.
Are computer games useful?
In order to help the child develop, the parent must always be there. So you can’t just turn on your tablet or PC, sit your child in front of it and go about your business for hours. And in case of failure, always criticize the World Wide Web. No, things are a little different. It is important to choose the right games that will help you develop, and you should not forget about parental control so that your child does not accidentally see something forbidden.
2.1. Basic principles of sequential presentation of computer programs
The success of using a new unique tool - a personal computer - at the primary level of education depends on many conditions. One of the conditions for presenting computer games to children is to take into account gradually more complex developmental tasks. In computer games for preschoolers, there are three types of tasks:
1. gaming;
2. didactic;
3. computer control task.
When planning long-term educational work with children, it is necessary to take into account the gradual increase in complexity of all three types of tasks:
1. the first - leading for preschoolers, is associated with the formation of the game;
2. second - with the assimilation of traditional knowledge and skills;
3. third - with the formation of a generalized ability to control various situations on the display using a keyboard, mouse and joystick manipulators, and other controls.
This non-traditional task for preschool and primary school age is associated with the special impact of the computer on the general mental development of children
When compiling the sequences in which programs are presented to children, the basic principle of didactics is taken into account - from simple to complex - so that children do not lose interest in computer games. And this can happen if you give very simple games (uninteresting), if you give the same game (boring), if you give children very complex games, self-doubt appears.
In addition, the general educational program of the preschool institution and the adopted annual, monthly and weekly plans are taken into account.
1.2. The influence of a computer game on the development of a preschooler.
Existing computer programs can help children develop memory, attention, learn something new about the world around them, introduce letters and much more.
Computer games will help develop many skills, but at a certain point, when the child has already mastered the toy, he begins to perceive this activity as entertainment. Play ceases to be an element of development, since the child does not acquire new skills. But any game, in addition to having fun, should teach something. By watching a child play, an adult will be able to understand when it is necessary to change a game that is entertaining to a game that develops.
By playing computer games, a child learns to plan, build the logic of elements of specific events and ideas, and develops the ability to predict the outcome of actions. He begins to think before he acts. Objectively, all this means the beginning of mastering the basics of theoretical thinking, which is an important point and condition in preparing children for school. The educational function of computer games is one of its most important characteristics.
Computer games are designed in such a way that the process of mastering them encourages the child to engage in research activities without noticing it at all: try, get information, clarify, draw conclusions, adjust their actions in accordance with the current situation. This can best be achieved if adults are aware of the problems facing the child at play and solve them together with him. Joint discussion and solution of these problems can become the first manifestation of the child’s research activity. Computer games teach you to do this quite quickly, and success in mastering game programs
in preschool age will help to master school programs in computer science (V. Motorin).
Properly selected game programs that correspond to age, temperament, educational orientation, and take into account the child’s inclinations will help to effectively apply them for the purpose of education and development. Games with research content are of greatest interest.
If game programs are selected incorrectly, interests may be crowded out: the child may completely withdraw into the virtual world.
Computer games for preschool children
To interest a child, the game must be active, understandable and colorful. Let's look at some of the most successful examples.
"Masha and the Bear" from AppQuiz
This is an application with interesting content for preschool and even school-age children. There is a whole block of different games with these characters:
- drawings;
- coloring books;
- choice of words;
- selection of objects by shape;
- puzzles;
- learning musical instruments;
- mathematics.
Separately, you can choose to study numbers, first mathematical problems, various figures from geometry, etc.
Puzzle “Masha and the Bear on a walk”
When you start, a picture appears on the screen, which you need to assemble from puzzles by dragging them from the right side to the desired place.
Angry Birds: Match 3
Everything here is very friendly and calm. All you need to do during the game is to collect three identical birds together in one row in any direction.
"Drawing"
Risovalka is an animated game for children aged 2 years and older. After the drawing is completed, the character comes to life, jumping on the screen, laughing or even flying. 30 characters and more than 100 animations and sounds are collected here. You can optionally save the drawing.
"Animal Sounds"
“Animal Sounds” is a convenient application that you can always take with you, since after installation it does not require a network. More than 30 sounds of birds, animals and insects are collected here for study. And in order to hear each of them, you need to click on the appropriate image.
"Fixies"
Favorite cartoon characters Simka and Nolik help you learn how different equipment works in the house, what different musical instruments sound like, and how to care for your pets. And then, as a test, you need to go through a quest with various tasks, guessing games, fixies, etc. “Fixies” is a memory development game, it requires the child to first remember the sequence of the character’s actions, and then repeat it in the correct order.
"Safety on the road"
A game called “Safety on the Road” will allow the child to learn how to behave correctly on the road, what to do in a given situation. There are also various tasks that will need to be completed later.
Of course, this is only a part of the interesting educational computer games for preschool children. All of them are aimed at development and are created to help the child learn more about the world around him. There are also separate games for learning the alphabet, numbers, first words, color names, etc.
Games for schoolchildren
School-age children will not be interested in all this, since they have already known all this for a long time. For them, you can choose something suitable for their age and level. You should choose in such a way as to help you develop further, and not just have fun.
Lego
“Lego My City” or “Lego City Undercover” is probably the number one game for most boys and girls over 7 years old. In this game, created based on the designer, you can complete various quests and solve problems. Also, with the help of such a game, the child gets to know the computer better.
"FIRE"
"FIRE" is a game that is based on the Stone Age, where one of the tribe members was unable to keep the fire going while everyone else was sleeping, and for this he was kicked out of the community. Now he faces tests that come with hints.
"Disneyland Adventures"
“Disneyland Adventures” is a whole virtual tour in this famous park, which you can go to with your parents. There are many exciting attractions, various quests, and characters to choose from.
"Guys and animals: let's play together"
With this game you can learn many interesting facts about your pet, as well as the secrets of caring for it, its nutrition and needs. With this game, the child learns to take care of his pet independently, under the supervision of his parents.
"Cuphead"
Cuphead is a great 2D run and gun platform game. Stylization is focused on the 30s. Interesting graphics with the ability to customize the hero the way the player wants. At the beginning of the game, you can learn the main movements and abilities of your character, and then play with your friends in pairs.
"Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
The game is based on the events taking place in the last part of Star Wars. It is based on the main parts of films such as “Harry Potter”, “The Lord of the Rings”, “Indiana Jones”, etc. In the game, the character fights bad guys while traveling, and in the process destroys the entire city built from Lego. . Can be played by two players at once.
"Minecraft"
“Minecraft” is an exciting game not only for schoolchildren, but also for many adults. This is a real pixel sandbox where you can build houses, cities, and even create new entertainment. Each player has two modes: survival (natural resources are collected that help protect against monsters), and sandbox, where you can create whatever “comes to mind.”
"Journey"
There is no clear goal to be achieved here. The player can get a sense of adventure, or uncover the secrets that exist on the big mountain.
"Rocket League"
Rocket League is a game with a real competitive spirit. The participant plays football, but not with his feet, but with the help of cars. He can control many cars at once to achieve his main goal: to score a big goal for the opposing team.
"Unravel"
"Unravel" is an interesting game with a lot of puzzles, where the main character is Yarny, who is made of yarn. Objective: to help the grandmother who made it regain her memories. This means that the game will be built as a journey through the amazing landscapes of northern Sweden.
"Child of Light"
"Child of Light" is an exciting game with an alternative universe. Events take place in Austria in a fictional world called Lemuria. The player takes on the role of the young princess Aurora, who is going to fight the Queen of the Night, since the villainess has stolen the Moon, stars, and the Sun. A fascinating journey through the watercolor world and characters with their speeches in verse will seem interesting to many children of different ages.
"Forza Horizon 3"
Forza Horizon 3 is a great game that consists of racing supercars on real tracks. There are options that make it possible to tune your car, as well as select your favorite vehicle from a huge fleet of more than 350 cars.
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3
This is a cool addition that is made in the style of a construction stimulator. Here you can create your own city, create whatever infrastructure you want: a skating rink, where you can then skate, or, for example, a zoo with unusual animals.
"Portal"
In the story, a girl works in a laboratory, and she is alone on the planet. Then she began to hear other people's voices. They sounded from an artificial intelligence that she herself created. He gives her tasks that the scientist must complete.
"Patchwork. Alice's Adventures"
This is a game that will help you not only learn the details of the book better, but also see Wonderland. The player must help Alice get the throne of the Queen of the fairy-tale world, but before doing this, you need to go through many different tests across the levels.
A large number of educational computer games help each child choose exactly what he needs in order to develop his character traits, improve his skills and knowledge. Such games are created not only for entertainment, but for benefit.
Of course, it will be most convenient for a child to play either on a smartphone or on a tablet. So even with modern gadgets, a child of any age can engage in useful tasks.
Parents should be careful about what exactly their children are doing on the Internet. It’s better to turn off the Internet altogether if the game can be downloaded and has an offline mode. In addition, do not forget to enable parental controls.
What games would you prefer for your child, or maybe you really missed in your childhood? Write in the comments about your impressions of modern educational games for children.
