7 Ways RPGs Support Personal Growth and Virtue
Beyond fun and games, RPGs are a valuable resource for building character and virtue that directly impacts real-life outcomes.
Over the last decade, the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) hobby has expanded in influence and engagement, especially among children and teens. The blending of storytelling, strategy, and camaraderie into an engaging, imaginative experience makes roleplaying games an attractive alternative to screen-based hobbies. Beyond the fun and adventure, I believe TTRPGs offer profound benefits for children's personal growth and virtue development. At a recent summer camp, I had the opportunity to lead several games, and I'd like to share seven ways our sessions provided a unique context to help the campers level up in real life by fostering some essential skills and values.
Empathy and Compassion: Walking in Another’s Shoes. During our games, I noticed now TTRPGs allowed the campers to inhabit diverse characters with unique stories and struggles. This role-playing experience visibly nurtured empathy and compassion, as I watched the kids begin to understand and connect with perspectives different from their own.
Problem-Solving Skills: Overcoming Challenges. Each game presented a series of obstacles and puzzles for the kids to face and overcome. By navigating these challenges, the campers drew upon their problem-solving skills and learned to think critically and creatively together.
Teamwork and Cooperation: The Power of Collaboration. Success in our camp's TTRPG sessions often depended on the campers' ability to work together. Through shared goals and collaborative efforts, the players experienced the importance of teamwork, communication, and trust.
Responsibility and Consequences: Learning Accountability. Every decision the campers made had consequences. As a result, they quickly learned that their choices mattered, which fostered a sense of responsibility and understanding of cause and effect.
Creativity and Imagination: Unleashing Inner Potential. From crafting unique characters to building intricate worlds, our games encouraged the kids to stretch their imaginations and think outside the box. I even allowed them to shape the story and NPC’s at different points, and it was fun to see how they (re)shaped the adventures in ways I never would have anticipated!
Courage and Resilience: Facing Challenges Head-On. The campers' characters routinely faced difficult and dangerous situations. Watching them face these challenges, I saw how the games helped build courage and resilience, teaching the kids to confront their fears and persevere through adversity.
Mastery and Growth: Leveling Up Characters and Skills. As the campers progressed in their TTRPG sessions, their characters gained experience and leveled up. Leveling up was a perfect segue to discuss the importance of hard work, practice, and continuous improvement, and how we can use it to think about and organize our personal growth and development.
Tabletop role-playing games go beyond mere entertainment—they’re powerful tools for nurturing children's growth and development. They cultivate empathy and problem-solving abilities, foster teamwork and resilience, and fuel creativity while honing practical skills. As kids immerse themselves in these adventures, they're not only advancing their in-game characters but also discovering more about themselves and acquiring crucial life skills. RPGs go beyond being simple games; they provide a powerful path for building character and virtue.