Minecraft: all you need to know
Is it a pixel? Is it a block? It’s Minecraft!
As a parent, you might look at your child, hyper-focused on this pixelated world, and ask yourself, "What is so interesting about this?" "Why is my child so obsessed with this?" Well, in today’s blog, we are going to cover the benefits of Minecraft, why children love it, and any possible concerns you might have as a parent.
What is Minecraft?
Let’s begin with a definition. Minecraft is a 3D video game where you get to build virtually anything. It is considered to be ‘online LEGO’ where you use building blocks to build whatever concept you might conceptualize. Talk about an imagination booster!
It is a game that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Children are able to design and build their own virtual worlds, which is not only entertaining but also helps them develop their imagination and spatial reasoning abilities. Plus, it's a great way to foster teamwork and collaboration when playing with friends.
However, Minecraft is not just about building. It also has a survival mode, which requires players to gather resources, fend off monsters, and craft tools. This mode teaches children valuable life skills such as resource management, strategic thinking, and perseverance. They'll learn to overcome obstacles and work through challenges, serving them well in the real world.
Minecraft mania
The appeal comes from the fact that there are no rules to the game. The Minecraft website states, "If you can dream it, you can build it." Being a game based on building from scratch, Minecraft encourages innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Each game is unique, which keeps players engaged and motivated to keep playing. They can explore new worlds, build whatever they can imagine, and even create their own mini-games within the game. With each achievement comes a dopamine rush that leaves them wanting more. Additionally, Minecraft has a charm that is difficult to resist, with its pixelated images and quirky sound effects.
Possible concerns
When it comes to parenting, everyone is always looking for the correct formula. Plenty of screen time is always a major concern. You never know what your child is being exposed to, and that can be scary, but Minecraft relieves you from this stress. It has no violent content!
While it's important to monitor screen time, a study conducted by the University of Glasgow has shown that playing Minecraft in moderation can have positive effects on children's cognitive and social-emotional development. It has also linked playing Minecraft with excelling in higher education.
It doesn't exactly teach kids how to code, but as the child builds whatever his imagination tells him to, concepts like IF, THEN, ELSE, and END become subliminally embedded in their brain. So rest assured that your child is learning just by playing.
A final word
Minecraft is much more than just a game. It's a tool that can help children develop essential life skills, cultivate creativity, and connect with others in a positive and engaging way.
So, the next time your child asks for more Minecraft playing time, remember the benefits and say yes (in moderation, of course!). You may even find yourself joining in on the fun.
We hope this blog post has changed your outlook on Minecraft, so you might want to check out our popular master game developer track where students have fun playing their favorite game, and use a block-based coding language to code Minecraft mods.
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