Designing educational games in teaching natural and social sciences 165 to develop problem-solving and creativity competencies for second-grade students

Abstract

Game-based learning is an active teaching strategy that enhances student engagement, motivation, and collaboration while fostering problem-solving and creative thinking competencies. This study proposes a structured process for designing educational games, illustrated through a sample lesson plan, and evaluates its effectiveness based on students' understanding, application, participation, and enthusiasm. The results confirm the strong potential of game-based instruction in developing specialized competencies and provide pedagogical guidance for teachers to implement competency-oriented teaching aligned with Vietnam's 2018 General Education Curriculum. The study contributes both theoretical and practical foundations for promoting innovative, learner-centered teaching approaches in primary education.