1. Take a Comprehensive Approach  

Blending digital games into your child’s learning gives them another opportunity for learning. For any parents worried about screen time, it’s important to keep in mind that these games are designed to help your child connect and engage with learning material–not just keep them entertained.   

2. Use Games as a Supplement 

Keeping responsible screen time in mind, try to treat digital games as a supplement to other learning measures, such as reading books, pointing out letters in the real world, and trying letter crafts and activities.   

Example: Let’s say you’re working with your child to learn the letter A. Pair letter A crafts and activities with an online game that’s focused on the letter A, such as Letter A Space Maze. Then follow it up with an alphabet book where you can point out the letter A.  

3. Lean Into the Flexibility 

One of the benefits of learning with online games is that it can happen almost anywhere and at any time. Take advantage of this and use this learning resource to pass time at restaurants, on road trips, or even during downtime at home.   

4. Monitor and Participate 

When you can, engage with the games alongside your child. This not only allows you to monitor the content and its educational quality but also shows your child that you value their learning activities.  

Example: When children first start learning the letters of the alphabet, they may need some assistance in identifying the letters they see in the alphabet games. For instance, the game Alphabet Bubbles, features multiple letters floating in bubbles, and children must pop the bubble with the letter the game asks for, such as the letter B. Children may need help identifying the letter B at first.   

5. Connect Learning with Your Child’s Interests 

Even though most children view educational games as fun and something to look forward to, it’s still one more learning activity that’s being added to their day or week. When possible, pick games related to your child’s hobbies, such as sports, the outdoors, dinosaurs, or coloring.  

Example: If your child enjoys playing or watching sports, seek out an alphabet game that somehow incorporates sports, such as Sports Alphabet Memory Match. In this game, children flip over cards to reveal a sport or a letter. They’ll need to flip over cards until they find the letter that the sport starts with. For instance, players would match the card displaying a soccer ball with the card showing the letter “S,” as “soccer” starts with the letter “S.”