Five years ago this month, Minecraft 1.0 was officially released for download. Who would have guessed that a block-based video game would become one of the greatest gaming phenomena of all time? Although the game has been enjoyed by adults all over the world since its release, many parents have seen their children obsessed with Minecraft for just as long. But why are children so fascinated by this game, even years after they have started playing it?
The simple answer: Minecraft is many different things to many different people. It’s a playground for artists, architects, engineers and computer programmers, where imagination is the limit when it comes to building whatever they want. It can be both social and solitary, relaxing and invigorating. It’s fun and also educational. It is a vast place to explore, where players can venture into grand and unknown worlds, climb mountains and cross oceans. Or they may be stranded on a deserted island and test their survival skills with only the most basic resources. In short, Minecraft is what you want it to be!
Contents
Benefits of Minecraft for Kids
We hear it all the time: don’t let kids have too much screen time! It hurts their eyes! It hurts their bodies! But what about the benefits of screen time and video games? The future, after all, is digital. While it’s important for children to balance physical activity and video games, video games have many benefits that are often overlooked.
Here are eight benefits for kids playing Minecraft.
How does playing Minecraft help a child?
The game is structured in a free-flowing design, keeping in mind the nurturing of a child’s imagination. Studies have shown that Minecraft has educational values and enhances the player’s life and professional skills. We’ve listed some amazing benefits for a kid playing Minecraft:
Because it’s not a goal-oriented or goal-oriented video game, players have the benefit of using their imaginations and building something of their own, digitally. You can accept challenges and build mind-blowing projects. The sky is the limit here!
Is Minecraft kid appropriate?
Now answering the question of whether playing this game is fruitful for your child, Minecraft has generally been considered appropriate for children of all ages. The game has been rated “E for Everyone” by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which means it is suitable for players of all ages and contains content that is generally suitable for everyone. However, the game allows players to interact with each other online, and there’s no way to filter or monitor the conversations that take place. This can potentially expose children to inappropriate language or topics and therefore it is important for parents to monitor their children’s online activities and set appropriate limits to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.
Up to 54% of 3-12 year olds play Minecraft. This compares with just 46% of girls in the same age group. 68% of 6-8 year olds play Minecraft. Only 32% of girls in the same age group play Minecraft.
The game can teach children to think logically
To be successful in Minecraft, players must think logically to solve puzzles and complete tasks. This type of play can help children develop cognitive skills such as planning and organization.
Minecraft’s multiplayer mode gives kids the opportunity to connect with other players from around the world. This can be a great way for kids to socialize and learn to work together as part of a team.