Top Five Reasons Parents Should Encourage Dungeons and Dragons
Screens are dominating our children’s lives.
And who do you think’s to blame? That’s right, we are.
Yes screens are amazing at keeping your angels quiet. And yes, our babies sit still and stay out of our way... but think about it….. what are we actually creating? Kids glued to screens has been the norm since the television first entered our homes in the 1950’s, they gave us escapism from the world. They created our heroes, our dreams and filled our minds with wonder.
Dungeons and Dragons is viewed by parents as nothing more than a board game. Some get images of nerds sat locked away in basements, while others totally dismiss it. However, the greatest roleplaying game in the world is so much more than that. Not only do the players have to use mathematics, but they also have to use their creativity to solve puzzles and overcome monsters by working together and interacting socially in a safe environment.
So with that in mind, here are the top ten reasons a parent should encourage their children to play Dungeons and Dragons.
Social skills - a study was carried out last year and found that 70% of children between the ages of 7 and 12 struggle to interact with each other when expressing their feelings verbally. Most of the time this can come down to intimidation or feelings of worthlessness. Dungeons and dragons helps bring shy children out of the shells and gives them a visarde in the form of their heroic character to live out the desires and strengths that they might feel they lack.
Problem solving - dungeons and dragons can feature many puzzles and these are often educational puzzles in the guise of a trap. Take the OPEN door lock puzzle.... The adventurers reach a door with no visible lock, though placed where one might be is a series of four jewels. The Dungeon master says " the jewels are coloured navy, orange, purple and emerald." Writing down the words in their notebook and with a bit of critical thinking, they'll soon discover that if they rearrange the first letters it spells Open. This is one such example, there are also many others. Some can include mathematics or even physics. These make the game come to life while creating an enjoyable learning experience.
Creativity - you might be surprised to hear that one of Rolldark Game Master Agency's largest clients happen to be adult creative agencies. They use our services to unlock ideas and work theirs teams creative muscles. If your child's strength resides in their creativity then regular sessions of Dungeons and Dragons is a great way to bring that to the service. The dungeon master has to create a world from scratch and can include as much details as your child desires. Many children who are highly creative are already running lunchtime D&D clubs for their friends and seeing a real benefit.
Stress relief - too many adults are under the impression that stress is adolescent exclusive. SAT exams and GCSEs are both highly taxing on today's youth, if not for the pressure of schools wanting only to improve their reputations at the expense of a child's mental well-being.
It Brings Families Together - It actually a lot of fun. Adults everywhere are rekindling their childhoods sat round tables and putting on silly voices. This can also bring you closer to your child. Many of Rolldark Game Master Agency’s Dungeon Master’s work with families with autistic children. Playing D&D really helps to break down barriers.
If you’re a parent and would like to find out more information on how to book one of our professional Dungeon Masters, you can contact us here info@rolldark.co.uk