THE IMPACT OF GAME-BASED LEARNING ON COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of game-based learning on cognitive development in early childhood through a literature review. Game-based learning has become a major focus in early childhood education because of its potential to stimulate children's cognitive development. Through a comprehensive literature review, this article describes various findings from previous research that reveal the impact of game-based learning on cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, critical thinking skills, conceptual understanding, and flexible thinking abilities in early childhood. These findings provide insight into how this learning approach can influence children's cognitive development at an early stage in their lives. Practical implications and future research directions are also discussed in this article. Thus, this article provides a better understanding of the importance of integrating play-based learning in early childhood education curricula to improve children's cognitive development.