Most parents believe that online computer games do more harm than good to their kids, but the digital revolution has opened many doors for improvement as well.

There are thousands of online learning games for kids out there, most of them designed to be entertaining as well as educational, and current research suggests that a mixture of education and fun is exactly what young children need to excel in their studies from a very early age.

Many of these online education games are focused specifically on mathematics, a problem area for many children. These online maths games are designed to encourage enthusiasm and a positive outlook when approaching complicated mathematics problems, and make solving them fun and rewarding.

• The best online maths games (as opposed to those that are more fun than they are educational), share certain characteristics you should consider.
• They involve a challenge, usually against the computer or against 1 or more opponents.
• They are governed by set rules with a clear, easy to understand structure.
• They have a goal completion or finishing point, by which time the child is expected to have expanded his or her understanding of a mathematical objective or concept.

Apart from learning valuable maths skills, these online education games also teach children valuable life skills, such as exercising their creativity, setting and pursuing goals, and practising persistence. If you have considered introducing online learning games for kids into your child’s routine, here are some more great benefits to consider.

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Self-paced

With online learning games, kids are free to go at their own pace, and cannot be left behind the way they sometimes are in traditional lessons (whether in person or online). They can slow down if they are having difficulty with a concept, or repeat certain games they have problems with in order to strengthen their understanding.

Flexible and convenient
Some kids like to spend a little while online before school, some after school in the afternoons, and some in the evening. With online learning games, kids can choose when and for how long they play, and there are no geographical restrictions – all you need is a device and an internet connection!

Enhances computer literacy

These days, the truth is that not being able to efficiently use a computer and the internet makes people practically unemployable in many, many different fields of work. Computer literacy is important, even from a very young age, in staying up to date on the latest developments and tools your child will need to make use of throughout their scholastic career.

So next time you think of computer gaming, don’t forget that along with all those mind-numbing games and apps that children love to play these days, there are also a number of fantastic opportunities for them to learn and improve their performance in school. To learn more about Top Dog’s interactive online learning programs for all ages, visit our website and view our available curricula for yourself!

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