What do Minecraft, D&D, and Fortnite actually teach your child's developing brain?

Dr. Kelli Dunlap, a licensed clinical psychologist with a master's in game design and executive director of Take This, joins host Patricia Cangas to explore video games as tools for learning and development. Dunlap explains why humans play, what games teach children at different ages, and how parents can distinguish healthy gaming from problematic patterns. She walks through practical strategies for managing screen time transitions, teaching emotional regulation through gameplay, and using curiosity instead of judgment when engaging with kids about their digital lives. "All games teach—whether or not it's what you want your kid to learn is a different story," Dunlap explains, reframing gaming as an opportunity rather than a threat.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Dr. Dunlap - from psychology doctorate to game design degree
• (05:22) Why humans are hardwired to play and what makes games uniquely powerful for learning
• (10:27) What your child actually learns from Minecraft, Fortnite, and tabletop games
• (19:55) The difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships with gaming
• (26:34) How to handle the moment when gaming time ends and your kid refuses to stop
• (33:05) Why completely avoiding tablets might actually put kids at a disadvantage
• (37:53) The new generation of therapists using games in clinical practice
• (40:21) Three essential tips every parent needs about gaming and mental health
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About the Show

Patricia Cangas Rumeu, a seasoned expert in digital literacy and educational technology, hosts Pixel Parenting - where she empowers busy parents to navigate their kids' tech use with confidence and science-based insights. This bi-weekly podcast cuts through digital parenting confusion by exploring everything from screen time strategies to educational apps with expert guests and practical tools. Patricia combines her background as both a mother and technology educator to help families build healthy digital habits that work for real life, creating a community where parents can learn what being "tech-savvy" really means for kids today.

Resources:

Halo series - https://www.halowaypoint.com/

Minecraft - https://www.minecraft.net/

Fortnite - https://www.fortnite.com/

Fall Guys - https://www.fallguys.com/

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) - https://www.dndbeyond.com/

Roblox - https://www.roblox.com/

Chutes and Ladders - Classic board game (available at major retailers)

Trouble - Classic board game (available at major retailers)

Mancala - Ancient strategy game (available at major retailers)

Jenga - Classic stacking game (available at major retailers)

Dr. Rachel Kowert Website: https://rkowert.com/
ESRB Ratings Guide (what ratings/descriptors mean): https://www.esrb.org/ratings-guide
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