How Student-Led Learning Enhances Classroom Engagement
Student-led learning is a growing educational trend that SimplyFun has championed for over 17 years. Our enthusiasm for play-based education is reflected in the stories of schools and families who have transformed students' educational experiences with every SimplyFun game they play.
It is no wonder that studies show when 'play' is at the heart of learning, children tend to feel less anxious and resistant to their classroom curriculum. By tapping into a student's imagination and joy, we give them the keys to their own success and support a learning environment that invites curiosity and sets the stage for resilience and academic confidence. Student-led learning does just that and is especially useful when teaching statistically less favorable subjects, like math.
In this blog post, we'll uncover how student-led learning helps support critical thinking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving in children of all ages. We'll also unveil fun games that help transform classrooms into student-led learning hubs that bring play-based learning to life!
What is Student-Led Learning Anyway?
Student-led learning is a teaching technique that empowers students to design their own curriculum by tailoring their studies to their interests. For example, a child who prefers learning visually may thrive with a hands-on coding game that uses imaginative thinking to illustrate coding concepts.
Team Digger, for example, takes children on an adventure to help their puppy pals find treats at the dog park. Children can work collaboratively (like an actual coding crew) by exchanging path tiles to navigate their own perfect dig!
Through adventures in learning, children can visualize complex concepts like coding and transform them into 'aha moments' that harness what ALL children are inherently good at… using their imagination! The key is supplementing shallow learning with deep learning. What is the difference between shallow and deep learning? Shallow learning is the repetitive memorization of timetables and math drills that often leave children confused and struggling to understand what seems like an abstract concept. When children learn this way, the goal often becomes shallow memorization for a passing grade rather than a deep understanding of the subject.
In contrast, when students practice deep learning by interacting with games and collaborating with peers, they engage their active listening skills while developing core memories that help them associate learning with PLAY. Play-based learning also taps into children’s inherent need for social-emotional connection. When educational games are used to support student-led learning, children become more engaged in their academics which may improve their classroom performance, confidence, and soft skills like problem-solving, planning, and teamwork.
At SimplyFun, we believe PLAY sparks ever child's full learning potential. That is where student-led learning can truly help transform a child's educational experience and give them the keys to design their path to excellence. Here are our picks for student-led learning games that help students learn on a deeper, more meaningful level through the power of play!
Student-Led Learning Games for Preschoolers
At the preschool level, student-led learning provides early foundational skills that engage fine, and gross motor skills as well as brain development. Soft skills like sharing, taking turns, and empathy are also traits little ones learn through preschool gameplay. Here are a few student-led learning games for preschool classrooms to get little ones started.
Aargh! Pirate Memory and Concentration Game
2-4 players • 20 min • 3 & up
For the preschooler who loves pirates, get them ready to Aargh! their way to buried treasure! This matching game helps little pirates boost their memory skills as they try to remember where matching treasure tiles lurk under the sea.
Shelly's Pearl: Dive Team Collaboration and Trading Game
2-4 players • 10 min • 4 & up
For the little ones fascinated with underwater worlds, let’s play Shelly’s Pearl! Round up your dive team and prepare to collect and trade shells on the ocean floor with Shelly the Octopus. When everyone has a pearl, it's time to "shellabrate" together! (Bonus: Shelly uses they/them pronouns, which can spark a great discussion if you like!)
Pickles' Slide to Win: Hand-Eye Coordination Carnival Game
2-4 players • 10 min • 4 & up
For the preschooler who loves carnival games, get ready to use hand-eye coordination to slide and land on winning prizes with Pickles’ the pig! Pickles’ Slide to Win is a whimsical adventure that strengthens fine motor skills and teaches little ones to take turns.
Student-Led Learning Games for 5-7 Year olds
As preschoolers progress into kindergarten and first grade, they begin to strengthen their understanding of foundational academics, while also building social-emotional traits, and soft skills like planning, and time management. Here are a few games that help support their growth.
Math Room: Hotel Pretend Play Meets Addition Math
2-4 players • 15-20 min • 5 & up
Kiddos love pretend play especially when its pretending to be an innkeeper. The best part? Math Room sneaks in addition and subtraction up to10 as kids use math to fill their hotel to capacity! If a room is complete, children ring the bell to place that customer elsewhere. Think fast and be the first to fill all the rooms to win!
Pickles' Pig Tales: Silly Storytelling Game
2-5 players • 30 min • 6 & up
Telling the silliest of tales is highly encouraged in the laugh-out-loud storytelling game, Pickles' Pig Tales. Have a blast moving Pickles the pig along the gameboard and picking up picture cards to add to the story. Use memory to tell the tale in the proper sequence! Strengthen your child’s storytelling and memory skills in this charming family-friendly board game.
Crystal Cup Rally: Outer Space Race Game
2-5 players • 30 min • 7 & up
Rev’ your engines and embark on a 3D race that is out of this world! Children use planning and decision-making as they learn to adapt to obstacles at every turn around the track. We love this game for teaching students’ essential soft skills like time management, planning, and adaptability!
Student-Led Learning Games for Ages 8 and up
During upper elementary, students are more likely to engage with complex educational concepts and can begin to refine skills like critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving. At this level, student-led learning allows children to participate in their studies both collaboratively and independently while honing their skills and discovering ways they learn best.
Asymbol: A 3D Creative Problem-Solving Challenge
3-6 players • 30 min • 8 & up
Draw a category card and use your creativity to build the subject while others try to guess what it is. Sounds simple, right? You’d be surprised! The minimal 47 wooden shapes require resourceful thinking and creative problem-solving. The correct guesser and builder earn points, and the player with the most points at the end of the game, wins!
BankIt!: Mall Financial Intelligence Game for Kids
1-4 players • 30 min • 8 & up
Let's head to the mall! Teach children ages 8 and up financial intelligence as they learn to save, shop for bargains, and learn the value of charity. Master your finances to ride off with the coolest bike at the mall!
The Reel Script: Creative Story Development Game
3-5 players • 20–30 min • 8 & up
Step into the spotlight as a screenwriter and craft an epic storyline! Unleash your creativity and imagination to piece together a script your fellow players will vote "the real script!" Use your planning, communication, and sequencing skills to shine!
Student-Led Learning Motivates Children to Excel in School!
By injecting fun into student-led learning, parents and teachers put students in the driver's seat of their education. This hands-on approach supports students' academic needs while encouraging a lifelong love for learning. Whether it's exploring early childhood education, elementary games or teaching tweens and teens complex subjects like money management, we have a game for that!
Let's help students take the initiative in their education to garner independence and strengthen creativity and collaboration skills. Ready to learn more about our student-led learning games? Shop educational games by age, subject and adventure!
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10 Kids’ Dice Games That Are Fun for the Whole Family!