Dr. Minchao Jin is part of a growing movement in China implementing game-based interventions to support positive child development.
Shanghai, China – A movement focused on using games to promote education and well-being in early and middle childhood is gaining significant attention among social workers, teachers and policymakers in China. Among those contributing to the effort is Clinical Associate Professor Minchao Jin, who teaches in our MSW Program at NYU Shanghai.
“This shift represents a departure from an exclusive emphasis on academic performance toward a holistic, whole-person education that aligns with children’s developmental needs,” said Dr. Jin. “Using games to promote child development aligns perfectly with children’s natural interests.”
A key feature of the movement, Dr. Jin said, is its emphasis on providing opportunities for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. “Pilot programs have already been implemented in less developed regions of China and communities of migrant workers, where social workers play a pivotal role, particularly in supporting these underserved populations.”
Dr. Jin recently spoke about one such intervention at a national symposium on game-based interventions in Beijing. He shared findings from a program evaluation he co-authored for LEGO Happy Box, a game-based intervention toolkit aimed at promoting the well-being of children in low socioeconomic contexts. Developed by the LEGO Group, the toolkit contains 12 sets of “Six Bricks,” a learning tool in which brightly colored Duplo bricks are used to practice memory, movement, creativity and more; 12 LEGO minifigures; several baseplates and a variety of LEGO bricks sufficient for simultaneous play by 15 to 20 children. Additionally, it comes with a game instruction manual, building guides and picture books.
The evaluation Dr. Jin co-authored found that after engaging in interventions using the toolkit, children saw a notable change in curiosity, willingness to use their imagination, understanding of how to make themselves happy, creativity, and relationships with friends. “Through engaging and simple activities, the LEGO Happy Box helps children enhance their cognitive abilities, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills,” said Dr. Jin.
Additionally, at the symposium, Dr. Jin served as panel discussant, sharing insights on how to foster child-friendly communities through games in China. The event was sponsored by the LEGO Group and the China Development Research Foundation, which has direct influence on China’s welfare policy.
“This game-based approach is not only flexible but also cost-effective,” said Dr. Jin, noting that local materials can often be repurposed into toys for both unstructured and structured play. “Every child deserves the opportunity to play and benefit from the developmental growth that comes through engaging in games.”
About NYU Silver School of Social Work
Founded in 1960 and renowned for a strong tradition of excellence in direct social work practice and dedication to social justice, NYU Silver has provided rigorous training to more than 20,000 social work practitioners and leaders in every area of the field, making it the leading destination for students who want to become innovative practitioners at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. The School has four campuses in the heart of New York City, Rockland County, Westchester County, and Shanghai.