VIDEO GAME DESIGN CLASSES FOR KIDS WITH SNAPOLOGY
Kids nowadays are living in a technological world. The latest smartphones, video games, CGI movies…children are fascinated by what they see and play, and are constantly demanding their parents for more. And yet, when we get to the technical aspects of these “fun things”, they back up, saying that “it’s too difficult to understand.”
Here at Snapology, we say that part of the fun of playing these games and watching these movies is learning, understanding, and discovering what goes on in their creation. For this reason, we are offering Video Game Design Classes for Kids which not only allows kids to explore tech at levels they can understand, but also to indulge in and be inspired by the hands-on creation of these same technologies they love so much. Learning, after all, should be FUN!
Learning Video Game Design and Animation
Snapology’s Video Game Design and Animation classes encompass three main topics, namely Video Game Design, Animation Studio, and Specialized Animation.
What better way for kids to appreciate the video games they play than to MAKE their own! In this class, Snapology teaches the basic elements of video game design, including story development, program navigation, spatial planning, solution planning, and game mechanics. They then apply these technical elements into the creation of their own playable video game. It is our hope that even with this basic knowledge, kids don’t just play games; that they also develop the initiative, the drive, and the productivity for video game design and creation. More importantly, we want our students to develop that love for learning as a whole.
Animation Studio teaches the technical knowledge for the creation of animation, particularly stop-motion animation. Here, kids are first taught the technical skills and animation techniques that will allow them to transform their LEGO® characters and brick sets into moving figures on film. In addition, the class includes lessons on video editing, special visual and sound effects, and credits creation.
Specialized Animation enables kids to utilize what they have learned in Animation Studio to create their very own animated short film! Here, they apply their technical knowledge into creating mini adventures of their favorite Minecraft characters, DC and Marvel superheroes, and other interests. Using LEGO® brick sets, you can see your kids deliver stop-motion animation features similar to the blockbuster hits, The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie.
Building a Technical and Social Conscious Future
While Snapology aims for kids to develop a better understanding and appreciation of technologies, we don’t just focus on the technical. We also want our students to develop the necessary social skills that will make them productive and socially conscious members of society.
Snapology long believes that the best way for children to learn is by making learning fun. Despite the rapid growth of technologies, most kids find STEM subjects difficult and challenging. In our programs, although our students are learning technical skills, like coding, spatial planning, character development, critical thinking, and game mechanics, they are applying what they have learned in fun, hands-on projects. Needless to say, while they are making video games and movies, they come to discover just how much they have learned in class and apply them in real life settings.
Snapology wants our kids to develop the social skills they need to become productive in whatever career they choose, even non-technical jobs. This is the reason why we assign our projects to groups. Aside from developing teamwork and collaborative attitudes, we want our students to learn critical thinking and group decision making skills, and improve cooperation and camaraderie through reasonable negotiations, arguments, and compromise.
Why should our kids keep their achievements within our Snapology classrooms when they can present them to their communities or even the entire world? As part of our socialization development program, we encourage our students to present their projects to other students within the Snapology community or in other schools. This gives them greater confidence to speak in public as well as improve their communication skills. It also helps them to develop open minds, so that they are receptive to new, creative ideas and opinions from other students or adults.
We encourage parents to learn more about Snapology’s Video Game Design Classes for Kids. Contact us today to learn more about what we have to offer to your child.
