Can Kids Learn Better Communication Skills Through Video Games?

Looking Beyond the Screen: What Video Games Might Be Teaching Your Child

If you're a parent of a child between 6 and 12, you've likely had a moment—maybe many—where you've stared at a screen, worried. Worried your child is spending too much time gaming. Worried they’re isolating. Worried they aren’t learning the right things. And it's no surprise. When school feels like a struggle and homework becomes a daily battle, the flashing lights of a video game can seem like a retreat, a distraction—or even a threat.

But what if, in some cases, the games your child loves could actually be helping them in an unexpected way? Like... learning how to better communicate?

Communication Isn't Just Talking—It's Understanding

We often think of communication as speaking or writing, but for kids, especially those still developing emotionally and socially, real communication is about expressing needs, listening, taking turns, adapting to others, resolving conflict, and interpreting non-verbal cues. These are tough lessons to teach with words alone. Yet, in the rich and often unpredictable environment of multiplayer video games, these skills are practiced all the time.

In cooperative games, players have to collaborate to beat a level. That means discussing strategies, negotiating roles, and navigating disagreements—all things that mirror the group work and social problem-solving kids face at school. If your child is shy, anxious, or struggles to express themselves clearly, certain types of games can become a safe, lower-pressure context to build those muscles.

The Right Game Makes All the Difference

Not all games are equal, of course. Violent shooters and highly commercialized platforms built around in-app purchases aren’t likely to be helpful tools for communication. But many games now are intentionally designed to promote cooperation, storytelling, and emotional engagement. Games like "Minecraft" in multiplayer mode, story-driven adventures with dialogue choices, or even puzzle games with shared objectives can quietly nurture your child's communication chops.

Curious about how to tell which games are genuinely educational vs. just flashy? This guide can help you break it down.

When Struggles at School Spill Over Into Home Life

For children who are already dealing with learning difficulties, communication can be even harder. It’s not just about academics—feeling misunderstood by peers or teachers, not knowing how to ask for help, or managing social anxiety can lead to frustration and outbursts. Video games, often dismissed as escapist, can sometimes be a child’s way of engaging with a world that does respond to their inputs predictably. That consistency can build confidence.

In role-playing games (RPGs), for instance, kids make choices that shape conversations and outcomes. These simulated social interactions—deciding between telling the truth or hiding information, apologizing or arguing—can be surprisingly immersive mini-lessons in emotional intelligence. Over time, a child may start to mirror this decision-making in real-world interactions.

Helping Your Child Reflect on Their Gaming Experiences

While games can provide the platform, the real magic happens when parents help bridge the digital and real worlds. Try asking questions that invite reflection, like:

• “How did you and your teammate solve that problem together just now?”
• “What did your character say in that situation, and how would you respond if it were you?”
• “Why do you think that game character reacted the way they did?”

These simple prompts encourage your child to think more deeply about the interactions they’re practicing virtually. You’re helping them link experience to meaning—which is where true learning happens.

Striking a Balance: Connection Over Control

It’s tempting to want to restrict or eliminate gaming if it feels like a root cause of academic or behavioral issues. But instead of fighting over screen time, what if you became curious about it? Watching your child play, asking them about their favorite characters, co-playing a level every now and then—these are powerful forms of connection and insight. And sometimes, they’re a bridge to better conversations about harder topics like school, friendship, or anxiety.

In fact, studies have shown that problem-solving and collaboration skills cultivated in gaming can translate to classroom improvements, provided there’s reflection and adult support. Likewise, timing and age-appropriateness also play big roles in determining the impact video games have on learning and development.

Not Just Games: Creating a Rich Communication Environment

Gaming is just one potential platform. If you’re looking for other ways to foster communication and empathy, shared listening experiences are another gentle entry point. For example, with the iOS or Android versions of the LISN Kids App, your child can access original audio stories that spotlight conversations, relationships, and problem-solving in age-appropriate ways. Whether during car rides or before bed, audiobooks encourage children to slow down, imagine voices and emotional tones, and follow story arcs that often mirror their own social challenges.

Every Interaction Counts

At the end of the day, no single tool—gaming, books, apps, or even therapy—is the answer on its own. But every interaction, virtual or real, is a chance to build communication skills. The more we engage with what fascinates our kids, the more we understand how they process their world. And sometimes, what starts with a game controller could open the door to a conversation that really matters.

Interested in how else video games may support learning? Read more about language acquisition through games or explore how video games shape cognitive development based on the latest science.