{"id":57047,"date":"2025-05-16T15:15:07","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T23:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=57047"},"modified":"2025-11-14T11:55:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T19:55:35","slug":"how-online-games-help-social-emotional-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/abcmouse\/how-online-games-help-social-emotional-learning\/57047","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0How Online Games Help Social Emotional Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/kids-with-computer-social-emotional-learning.jpg\" alt=\"Kids having fun playing games online together to help them with Social-Emotional learning. \" class=\"wp-image-57266\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px;width:816px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/kids-with-computer-social-emotional-learning.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/kids-with-computer-social-emotional-learning-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/kids-with-computer-social-emotional-learning-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#0515bd\"><strong><strong><strong>How Online Games Can Help Social-Emotional Learning<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#767676;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\"><em>Educational games play a powerful role in building children\u2019s social-emotional skills\u2014and research shows exactly why they work.<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-3rem-padding aofl-waysToShare is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cac72e5565515bed76b2ed0d621b23ca\" style=\"color:#467ff7\"><strong>Share<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links has-icon-color has-icon-background-color aofl-social-icons-share is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-pinterest  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12.289,2C6.617,2,3.606,5.648,3.606,9.622c0,1.846,1.025,4.146,2.666,4.878c0.25,0.111,0.381,0.063,0.439-0.169 c0.044-0.175,0.267-1.029,0.365-1.428c0.032-0.128,0.017-0.237-0.091-0.362C6.445,11.911,6.01,10.75,6.01,9.668 c0-2.777,2.194-5.464,5.933-5.464c3.23,0,5.49,2.108,5.49,5.122c0,3.407-1.794,5.768-4.13,5.768c-1.291,0-2.257-1.021-1.948-2.277 c0.372-1.495,1.089-3.112,1.089-4.191c0-0.967-0.542-1.775-1.663-1.775c-1.319,0-2.379,1.309-2.379,3.059 c0,1.115,0.394,1.869,0.394,1.869s-1.302,5.279-1.54,6.261c-0.405,1.666,0.053,4.368,0.094,4.604 c0.021,0.126,0.167,0.169,0.25,0.063c0.129-0.165,1.699-2.419,2.142-4.051c0.158-0.59,0.817-2.995,0.817-2.995 c0.43,0.784,1.681,1.446,3.013,1.446c3.963,0,6.822-3.494,6.822-7.833C20.394,5.112,16.849,2,12.289,2\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Pinterest<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-mail  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19,5H5c-1.1,0-2,.9-2,2v10c0,1.1.9,2,2,2h14c1.1,0,2-.9,2-2V7c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm.5,12c0,.3-.2.5-.5.5H5c-.3,0-.5-.2-.5-.5V9.8l7.5,5.6,7.5-5.6V17zm0-9.1L12,13.6,4.5,7.9V7c0-.3.2-.5.5-.5h14c.3,0,.5.2.5.5v.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><span 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class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-chain  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M15.6,7.2H14v1.5h1.6c2,0,3.7,1.7,3.7,3.7s-1.7,3.7-3.7,3.7H14v1.5h1.6c2.8,0,5.2-2.3,5.2-5.2,0-2.9-2.3-5.2-5.2-5.2zM4.7,12.4c0-2,1.7-3.7,3.7-3.7H10V7.2H8.4c-2.9,0-5.2,2.3-5.2,5.2,0,2.9,2.3,5.2,5.2,5.2H10v-1.5H8.4c-2,0-3.7-1.7-3.7-3.7zm4.6.9h5.3v-1.5H9.3v1.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Link<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-advice-table-ofcontents has-background\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#e9f5ff\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-background\" style=\"color:#01075f;background-color:#bdd7ff\">Table of Contents\u2013Jump to Each Section<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"#social-emotional-learning\" title=\"\">What is Social Emotional Learning?<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"#online-learning-games\" title=\"\">How Online Learning Games Can Build Social-Emotional Skills <\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"#free-games\" title=\"\">Free Games for Social Emotional Learning<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:2px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a foundational part of child development, helping young learners understand their emotions, build positive relationships, and persevere through challenges. Growing these skills can support a child\u2019s academic and social well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">While SEL is often taught through everyday interactions with peers and caregivers or structured classroom activities, research shows that online learning games can contribute to building these skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">To better understand how educational apps and games can support SEL, it\u2019s helpful to first look at what social-emotional learning involves and why it matters so much in early childhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Social emotional learning is just one way digital learning games positively impact children. Research also shows they can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/abcmouse\/the-cognitive-benefits-of-game-based-learning\/56872\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">enhance cognitive development<\/a> and lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/abcmouse\/online-game-based-learning-why-it-works\/56458\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">gains in math and literacy skills<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"cognitive-development\" class=\"wp-block-group anchor-link-with-margin aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-white-color has-royal-depths-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-0f9fadeaf980664b0a3f745fefe581a1\" style=\"border-radius:50px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c385debf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center anchor-link-with-margin has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9021e3eba0b6c0290b1fd57bdfc276f9\" id=\"social-emotional-learning\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>What is Social Emotional Learning?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Social-emotional learning (SEL) involves building the self-awareness, emotional regulation, and social skills necessary in school and everyday life. It helps children recognize and manage their emotions, form positive relationships, and make thoughtful, responsible choices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"603\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Social-emotional-learning-graphic.jpg\" alt=\"Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Self-awareness, emotional regulation, social skills. \" class=\"wp-image-57251\" style=\"border-radius:15px;width:528px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Social-emotional-learning-graphic.jpg 870w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Social-emotional-learning-graphic-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Social-emotional-learning-graphic-768x532.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;font-size:3rem;line-height:1.5\"><strong><strong><strong>Social-emotional learning often includes these components:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6d620c5c5734a42bed4c26d0231959b9\">\n<li><strong>Self-awareness: <\/strong>Recognizing your own emotions, thoughts, and strengths to better understand yourself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Self-management: <\/strong>Controlling emotions, behaviors, and impulses to handle challenges and reach goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social awareness:<\/strong> Understanding others\u2019 feelings and showing empathy and respect for different people.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Relationship skills:<\/strong> Building healthy relationships through communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Responsible decision-making: <\/strong>Making good choices by thinking about consequences and considering others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"executive-functioning\" class=\"wp-block-group anchor-link-with-margin aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-white-color has-royal-depths-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-690967bbab4d03a058b2acde7cfa6883\" style=\"border-radius:50px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c385debf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center anchor-link-with-margin has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bb93d7c3fdf559d10270aeb64aab217b\" id=\"online-learning-games\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><strong>Learning Games Boost SEL Skills in Young Children<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Social-emotional skills like teamwork, communication, emotional regulation, and relationship-building are vital to children\u2019s growth and development. While much of this learning occurs during a child\u2019s day-to-day interactions with others, studies indicate that online learning games can foster self-awareness, empathy, problem-solving skills, and other SEL skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f\">Here\u2019s a deeper look at how digital educational games support social-emotional learning and the research highlighting their impact.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;line-height:2\">Online learning games build <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\">emotional intelligence and regulation<\/strong>.<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEL-girl-on-tablet.jpg\" alt=\"A young girl playing ABCmouse on an I-Pad. \" class=\"wp-image-57068\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEL-girl-on-tablet.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEL-girl-on-tablet-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEL-girl-on-tablet-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>HOW:<\/strong> <\/mark><\/strong>Learning to identify and manage emotions is a key aspect of social-emotional learning. Mastering any game requires players to recognize and regulate their emotions. Players who struggle with certain games may experience frustration and anger. Those who consistently score well can become overconfident, leading to a desire to shut down and quit when they encounter something more challenging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>SUPPORTING RESEARCH:<\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychology\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1307881\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> 2024 study published in <em>Frontiers in Psychology<\/em><\/a> states, <strong>\u201cGame-based learning can help children develop better emotional regulation skills and reduce negative emotions, such as anxiety and aggression.\u201d<\/strong> In order to succeed in any game, players must find ways to keep emotions in check so they can return to the task at hand. Playing online learning games provides kids with opportunities to practice recognizing and regulating their feelings and reactions to challenges, failures, and successes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ac208c4afbd8cc0d9db0f3a94e4fa04a\" style=\"border-radius:15px;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Playing online learning games provides kids with opportunities to practice recognizing and regulating their feelings and reactions to challenges, failures, and successes.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;line-height:2\">Online learning games build <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>resilience and self-confidence<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>.<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>HOW:<\/strong> <\/mark><\/strong>Many educators emphasize the concept of a \u201cgrowth mindset,\u201d encouraging students to view mistakes as a natural and valuable part of the learning process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Students with the resilience to bounce back and learn from mistakes and failures may be better prepared to work through academic (and real-life) challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong>A resilient growth mindset often translates into greater self-confidence, and playing online learning games can help develop both. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/growth_mindset_graphic_optimized.png\" alt=\"Online games help build a growth mindset. Person with a plant growing out of their head. \" class=\"wp-image-57171\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/growth_mindset_graphic_optimized.png 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/growth_mindset_graphic_optimized-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/growth_mindset_graphic_optimized-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>SUPPORTING RESEARCH:<\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychology\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1307881\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> 2024 <em>Frontiers in Psychology<\/em> study<\/a> noted, \u201cOnline games can help children develop their emotional regulation skills, self-awareness, and self-confidence\u2026games that require children to take risks and try new things can help them build resilience and confidence.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-28832361aa1b7b920db368363d8ade6b\" style=\"border-radius:15px;line-height:1.5\"><strong>\u201c&#8230;games that require children to take risks and try new things can help them build resilience and confidence.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;line-height:2\">Online learning games build <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>self-motivation and goal setting<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>.<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>HOW:<\/strong> <\/mark><\/strong>Some people seem to be born with a high sense of self-motivation and an innate desire to learn and achieve. However, most kids have to develop SEL skills like setting goals, managing their time, and staying motivated to complete tasks, especially for subjects they perceive as boring or difficult.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Digital educational games can make it easier to develop these skills, increasing a child&#8217;s interest in a topic by presenting material in a highly-engaging way. The positive reinforcement in digital learning games can help motivate kids to learn and master skills. The desire to achieve a higher score, earn a new avatar, or collect digital tickets and badges can go a long way toward motivating young learners as they play.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-checking-watch-social-emotional.jpg\" alt=\"A young boy looking at his watch to try and tell what time it is. \" class=\"wp-image-57189\" style=\"border-radius:15px;width:728px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-checking-watch-social-emotional.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-checking-watch-social-emotional-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-checking-watch-social-emotional-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>SUPPORTING RESEARCH:<\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> Citing from a variety of studies, the authors of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychology\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1307881\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> 2024 <em>Frontiers in Psychology<\/em><\/a> review said, \u201cTraditional teaching methods can sometimes be dry and one-dimensional, leading to disengagement and boredom in children. (<a href=\"https:\/\/eric.ed.gov\/?id=EJ1101229\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Fotaris et al., 2016<\/a>). <strong>Online educational games, on the other hand, provide a fun and interactive way to learn, which can increase children\u2019s motivation and engagement in learning<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34093334\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Nieto-Escamez and Rold\u00e1n-Tapia, 2021<\/a>). Children are more likely to be engaged in learning when they are having fun and enjoying the process.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-e66b1c403a8bd572811e9fbfe3f9be2f\" style=\"border-radius:15px;line-height:1.5\"><strong>The positive reinforcement in digital learning games can help motivate kids to learn and master skills.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;line-height:2\">Online learning games build <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>communication and collaboration<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> skills.<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ABCmouse-free-educational-games-kids-tablet.jpg\" alt=\"Two young girls laughing while playing on an i-pad.\" class=\"wp-image-54189\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ABCmouse-free-educational-games-kids-tablet.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ABCmouse-free-educational-games-kids-tablet-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ABCmouse-free-educational-games-kids-tablet-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>HOW:<\/strong> <\/mark>Multiplayer games can foster teamwork and collaboration, as players must communicate and work together to achieve common goals. They also provide opportunities for social interaction and communication, as players build relationships with others who play the same games.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>SUPPORTING RESEARCH:<\/strong> <\/mark>\u201c<strong>Online games provide children with opportunities to interact with their peers and develop important social skills such as cooperation, communication, and empathy<\/strong>,\u201d the authors report in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychology\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1307881\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> <em>2024 Frontiers in Psychology Review<\/em><\/a>. \u201cChildren can learn to work together, take turns, and share resources, which are essential skills for building positive relationships and succeeding in life.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ac208c4afbd8cc0d9db0f3a94e4fa04a\" style=\"border-radius:15px;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Playing online learning games provides kids with opportunities to practice recognizing and regulating their feelings and reactions to challenges, failures, and successes.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;line-height:2\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Online learning games build<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\">p<strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>roblem-solving and decision-making<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> skills.<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-on-tablet-social-emotional-learning-.jpg\" alt=\"A young boy playing ABCmouse on his i-pad. \" class=\"wp-image-57184\" style=\"border-radius:15px;width:768px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-on-tablet-social-emotional-learning-.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-on-tablet-social-emotional-learning--300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/boy-on-tablet-social-emotional-learning--768x416.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>HOW:<\/strong> <\/mark>By presenting players with challenges that require critical thinking, strategy, and decision-making, online games create environments where children can practice and enhance their problem-solving skills, which can often boost their confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong>SUPPORTING RESEARCH:<\/strong><\/mark> According to research in a January 2024 paper published in <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10783726\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> <em>PLoS ON<\/em>E<\/a>, \u201cIn digital educational games, students are immersed in a contextualized learning environment that stimulates and motivates them through the simulation of real-life scenarios and situations. <strong>The game\u2019s tasks, challenges, and interactions allow students to explore new knowledge and solve problems, resulting in a deeper learning experience.<\/strong>\u201d The authors go on to explain that because students are often more engaged when using online learning games, they\u2019re typically more willing \u201cto invest time and effort in problem-solving and task completion.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-c1d9ce357b1a731983cc339b95e994c9\" style=\"border-radius:15px;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Online games create environments where children can practice and enhance their problem-solving skills, which can often boost their confidence. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">As research continues to underscore the importance of social-emotional learning in early childhood development, it also reveals that online learning games provide another opportunity to strengthen these skills. <strong>When integrated into a child\u2019s learning environment, thoughtfully chosen educational games can serve as a complement to more traditional SEL experiences<\/strong>, helping children to practice emotional regulation, build resilience, strengthen communication skills, and develop effective problem-solving strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"cognitive-development\" class=\"wp-block-group anchor-link-with-margin aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-white-color has-royal-depths-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-1af9ffec5db08c833c13ed92049b31bf\" style=\"border-radius:50px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c385debf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center anchor-link-with-margin has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6a2bee0a8d693f394957a04ebae4b322\" id=\"free-games\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Free Games for Social Emotional Learning<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">ABCmouse is a trusted authority in online education for children ages 2\u20138. Known for its research-backed and expertly-created learning activities, <strong>the app also features hundreds of online learning games, many of which support social-emotional learning.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\"><strong><strong><strong>With an emphasis on learning key foundational skills related to literacy, math, science, and social studies, ABCmouse features game play that can naturally enhance SEL skills. <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46190e6839361676486b970587714190\">\n<li>As children explore new concepts in the app, they can build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By creating a safe space for them to make mistakes, children have an opportunity to grow their resilience. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The highly-engaging and interactive learning environment infuses fun and play into learning, while the ticketing and reward system keeps kids motivated to keep learning. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Here are a few examples of ABCmouse learning games that can also support social-emotional learning. While these games are free to play, children experience the biggest impact in learning with the full ABCmouse app experience, which includes personalized learning and thousands of educational activities.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image u-m-hide\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/abc\/subscription\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"860\" height=\"317\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lighter-CTA_Desktop.png\" alt=\"#1 most downloaded kids' app ABCmouse! \" class=\"wp-image-52439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lighter-CTA_Desktop.png 860w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lighter-CTA_Desktop-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lighter-CTA_Desktop-768x283.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image u-d-hide aofl-mb-3rem-margin \">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/abc\/subscription\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"476\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lighter-CTA_Mobile.png\" alt=\"#1 most downloaded kids' app ABCmouse! \" class=\"wp-image-52441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lighter-CTA_Mobile.png 476w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Lighter-CTA_Mobile-300x267.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-royal-depths-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-dc16b91f350cc7289803667340608c63\" style=\"border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>A game that can help grow<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/mark> communication and collaboration skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/80385aa0-372b-48aa-b6a1-69d634becc87_64858-4x.png\" alt=\"Fun memory match game for 2 players free to play on ABCmouse.com. \" class=\"wp-image-54805\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:25px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/80385aa0-372b-48aa-b6a1-69d634becc87_64858-4x.png 960w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/80385aa0-372b-48aa-b6a1-69d634becc87_64858-4x-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/80385aa0-372b-48aa-b6a1-69d634becc87_64858-4x-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:60%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Memory Match: 1-10<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-727ce0f3cca6619c0cbc48b7cd616096\">As kids flip cards to find matching pairs of numbers and picture sets, they practice taking turns, good sportsmanship, empathy, and even teamwork if they choose to work together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-midnight-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"http:\/\/abcmouse.com\/learn\/game\/memory-match-counting-1-10-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>PLAY THE GAME<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-royal-depths-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-761a265713fa29b0fb1dda61cf9068cd\" style=\"border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>A game that can help grow<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/mark> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\">p<strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\">roblem-solving and decision-making<\/strong> <\/mark>skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1062\" height=\"719\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/b91bc931-1064-4912-b9d6-16542013087c_22797-4x.png\" alt=\"Austin and Scout and the search for the crystal cat game. Fun word and puzzle game to play for free on ABCmouse.com. \" class=\"wp-image-55347\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:25px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/b91bc931-1064-4912-b9d6-16542013087c_22797-4x.png 1062w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/b91bc931-1064-4912-b9d6-16542013087c_22797-4x-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/b91bc931-1064-4912-b9d6-16542013087c_22797-4x-768x520.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1062px) 100vw, 1062px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:60%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Austin and Scout: Search for the Crystal Cat<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21945e9626cc055f8473b11d0357036c\">In this phonics game, children help Austin and his monkey Scout by solving word puzzles with missing letters. Each turn requires kids to think through letter sounds and choose the correct vowels and consonants to complete the words.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-midnight-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/game\/austin-and-scout-search-for-the-crystal-cat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>PLAY THE GAME<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-royal-depths-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-f0f2021b7bc789eb3dee13d1974e00d7\" style=\"border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>A game that can help grow resilience and self-confidence<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1250\" height=\"847\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/d0135d22-169c-4eb1-a05e-3000a2a35997_23752-4x.png\" alt=\"Fun monster math facts free to play game for kids online from ABCmouse.com.\" class=\"wp-image-55227\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:25px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/d0135d22-169c-4eb1-a05e-3000a2a35997_23752-4x.png 1250w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/d0135d22-169c-4eb1-a05e-3000a2a35997_23752-4x-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/d0135d22-169c-4eb1-a05e-3000a2a35997_23752-4x-1200x813.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/d0135d22-169c-4eb1-a05e-3000a2a35997_23752-4x-768x520.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:60%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Monster Math Facts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f17bbb4579d644ede908ef165886c43e\">Kids join in as Alice and her monsters try solving addition and subtraction problems as quickly as possible. This game can boost confidence with math skills and creates a safe space to make mistakes and try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-midnight-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/game\/monster-math-facts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>PLAY THE GAME<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-royal-depths-color has-frosted-sky-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-2fcdeaeed759cab6a046279795ca6e7c\" style=\"border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><mark style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Games that can help grow<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark> s<mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><mark style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);\" class=\"has-inline-color has-royal-depths-color\"><strong style=\"font-weight: bold;\">elf-motivation and goal settin<\/strong><\/mark>g<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:40%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1651\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3D_ABCmouse_Character_Standing_Come_With_Me.png\" alt=\"3 D, ABC mouse saying come follow me.\" class=\"has-border-color has-indigo-border-color wp-image-73851\" style=\"border-width:3px;border-radius:25px;width:177px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3D_ABCmouse_Character_Standing_Come_With_Me.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3D_ABCmouse_Character_Standing_Come_With_Me-218x300.png 218w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3D_ABCmouse_Character_Standing_Come_With_Me-872x1200.png 872w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3D_ABCmouse_Character_Standing_Come_With_Me-768x1057.png 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3D_ABCmouse_Character_Standing_Come_With_Me-1116x1536.png 1116w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:60%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">All ABCmouse Games!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-208be3ce23cfcbb49c91594b3962fe00\">As children engage with games and activities within the ABCmouse app, they earn tickets and rewards to buy items for their avatar, the classroom aquarium, or their adopted pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-midnight-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/abcmouse\/free-games-on-abcmouse\/7605\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>PLAY MORE GAMES<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-dd225191 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<printables-email-registration style=\"width:fit-content;display:flex;margin:auto\" class=\"wp-block-abcmouse-printables-email-registration\"><\/printables-email-registration>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube aofl-advice-image-video wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ABCmouse Is &quot;One-Hundred Percent Fun\u201d\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x4cXXArtdg8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70ff885fe4df430a05f3045591843622\" style=\"font-size:13px\"><em><strong><em>Legal disclaimer:<\/em><\/strong><em> Any information, materials, or links to third-party resources are provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with and do not sponsor\/endorse these third parties and bear no responsibility for the accuracy of content on any external site. All information provided in this article is current as of May 2025.&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;background-color:#dee3ff7d\">References:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Clemente-Su\u00e1rez VJ, Beltr\u00e1n-Velasco AI, Herrero-Rold\u00e1n S, Rodriguez-Besteiro S, Mart\u00ednez-Guardado I, Mart\u00edn-Rodr\u00edguez A, Tornero-Aguilera JF. Digital Device Usage and Childhood Cognitive Development: Exploring Effects on Cognitive Abilities. <em>Children<\/em> (Basel). 2024 Oct 27;11(11):1299. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2227-9067\/11\/11\/1299\"> 10.3390\/children11111299<\/a>. PMID: 39594874; PMCID: PMC11592547.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color\">Alotaibi MS (2024) Game-based learning in early childhood education: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Psychol. 15:1307881. Doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychology\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1307881\/full\"> 10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1307881<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Youling Li, Di Chen, and Xinxia Deng, &#8220;The Impact of Digital Educational Games on Student\u2019s Motivation for Learning: The Mediating Effect of Learning Engagement and the Moderating Effect of the Digital Environment,&#8221; <em>PLOS ONE<\/em> 19, no. 1 (2024): e0294350,<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0294350\"> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0294350<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Online games can support kids&#8217; emotional growth by building skills like empathy, resilience, and self-regulation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":57266,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[153],"class_list":["post-57047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abcmouse","tag-research"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57047"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77796,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57047\/revisions\/77796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}