A recent study by UC Berkeley neuroscientist Dr. Silvia Bunge has shown that kids who spend some of their time playing certain types of games experience a rise in their intelligence. In 2008, Bunge and her team went to a traditionally low-testing school in Oakland, California, and brought a group of second, third, and fourth graders some games to play. These games were chosen specifically to test the reasoning ability of the students.
Over the course of eight weeks — twice a day, for an hour and fifteen minutes’ play time — Bunge’s team discovered that the students’ IQ had jumped an amazing 13 points, at least in the realm of reasoning. To put that in perspective, this type of leap typically takes a child a full year of education to achieve.
Bunge’s team also tested processing speed using different games that focused on that type of intelligence, and found a similar increase. However, a closer look at the results of both tests also displayed that there were no crossover benefits — each student gained an increase in the type of intelligence specific only to that test. The most interesting finding of these experiments, however, is that the students with the worst scores before their eight weeks began ended up showing the strongest improvements after their stint had concluded.
Clearly, there is more going on in our minds when we play than mere amusement. As heartening as these studies are, let’s not forget the significance of the social aspect of gaming, especially for families who make time for regular gaming with each other. Co-operation, strategy, resource management — many games teach valuable lessons for young brains. By playing games with our children, we’re also letting them see that being an adult doesn’t mean constant seriousness; we can have fun too. So if you haven’t already, tuck in a boardgame amid your child’s Christmas gifts this year. It really will be a gift that keeps on giving.
Comments
No comments.