THREAD: A few times I've encountered people who are doubtful that simplified D&D isn't a positive learning experience for children under six. I'm here as an Early Childhood Educator to quickly explain why/how it is a positive one.
During this I will be touching on the five domains of childhood development (social, emotional, language, cognition, and physical).
1. Social: D&D is a social game. Children learn the basics of sustaining play, making friends, playing co-operatively, conflict resolution...
1. Social: D&D is a social game. Children learn the basics of sustaining play, making friends, playing co-operatively, conflict resolution...
...problem solving skills, listening to their peers, and the empathy! It is so vital to learn in their early years as a child steps into a role in a TTRPG the amount of empathy they can learn from that and watching what others do with their characters is incredible.
2. Emotional: Playing a game like D&D truly helps children see themselves as capable and competent which gives them a positive self-concept. It also assists in fostering good behavioural and emotional control as the characters experience turmoil and conflict...
...Not to mention the major boost of self-esteem children receive when they see themselves as a valued member of a group.
3. Language/Literacy: Starting with listening to others, using words to create a mental picture of what is happening in game, learning a whole new vocabulary, and retelling stories while using their imagination to begin building a story of their own.
4. Cognition: All the skills! Honestly, though, the amount of self-regulation needed to partake in a D&D session is amazing. As they play they are collecting information, organising it, constantly problem-solving as a group, being observational of maps and minis...
...They're questioning and letting their brain fire off thousands upon thousands of neurotransmitters per session, just lighting up so many different neural connections! They use the information they receive in game to reason logically, to discover what they, as a person...
...feel their characters should do.
They're developing a moral compass by questioning it.
They're learning basic and complex maths: counting; seriation; comparing; contrasting; geometry; distance, etc. They're using maps and spatial awareness like no other activity can foster.
They're developing a moral compass by questioning it.
They're learning basic and complex maths: counting; seriation; comparing; contrasting; geometry; distance, etc. They're using maps and spatial awareness like no other activity can foster.
5. Physical: With continued pen/pencil use, moving around a mini, they are continuously practicing their fine motor skills especially writing skills.
6. It's fun! It's imaginative! It's a grand adventure where children can be who they want to be. They're capable and competent. If they want to play, we should encourage them to play the game, too.
