The Importance of Game-Based Learning

Meeting the Educational NEEDS of every child at ALL levels; Gives our children the Power Dream Big.

The Jamaican Education Slogan “Every Child can Learn, Every Child Must Learn” provides the avenue needed for the dreaming process to begin.

Measures have been put in place to ensure that the necessary actions are taken through the implementation of the New Standard Curriculum (NSC) in both secondary and primary schools across Jamaica.

At the primary level this gave birth to the new examination, the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) for students at the Grade six level(grade 6 students) in primary and prep school Island wide.

“The human mind once stretched by a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions” Oliver Wendel Homes

It is my profound view, that if we integrate the principles of PEP and those of the game-based learning concept from the Early Childhood Level (the foundation years), we will most surely achieve the much desired and anticipated results we long for.

The Ability to Dream – Activates the Power of the Imagination

What better way for a child to ignite or activate the power of his/her imagination, than through the playing of games.

All Children have the right to play. Play is the way children begin to first make sense of their world. The value of play in relation to teaching and learning is priceless. It stimulates creativity and curiosity, sparks passion and build resilience.

It is breath taking at times to see such pure and undiluted joy in the eyes of the children when they are playing. We have at sometime or another witness the self-satisfaction and confidence in our children’s body language whenever they master a game of any type. For all children, this is true, no matter their age ability, race or nationality.

It is important for us; educators, teachers, parents and care givers to come to a mutual understanding and realization that play and games are vital elements in health, happiness and well-being of our children. More and more, education today highlights the gathering and understanding of information as well as the ability to use it in its correct context. Games naturally support this focus and creates a compelling complex problem, space, or world, which players come to understand through self-directed exploration. Games thrive on a need to know, a need to ask, examine, assimilate and master certain skills and content areas.

In keeping with findings in new research about the way children learn best, the Game-based curriculum cater to a more child-centered and child friendly approach to teaching and learning, at school or home. Thus, it’s my aim to make information and resources available, so that all steak holders with value in education may equally benefit.

This includes a variety of high interest activities featuring music, the visual and performing arts, as well as games with rules. It is a proven fact that children learn best. When they are engaged and what better way for them to do this than through games. Games not only encourage individual development but teach valuable life skills such as cooperation, team work, turn-taking, patience and tolerance.

My hope is for parents and teachers find the NEEDED help they seek here, through this medium, to be a solid complement to core subject matter as well as a means to introduce topics, gauge and assess learning in more interactive ways.

I strongly encourage and support the development of game-based learning in educational institutions such as learning centers, daycares, after school programs and homes. Keeping in mind that learning begins in the womb. I know that it will make learning fun for students, teachers and parents alike.

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment or email me at orlesecummings@gmail.com.

Thank you in advance for your support. Looking forward to us, playing and learning together.

All the best.