Bastion helps kids practice and improve the following skills:

Working Memory: Recalling and retaining information in our minds while working. 

In order to move through the different levels of the game successfully, the player needs to remember what buttons perform which functions. They need to do this in real time because, otherwise, they will find themselves losing large amounts of health, falling off the edge of the map, or drinking a potion when they mean to swing their hammer. For players who need to practice this skill, you have three chances to succeed before you need to repeat the entire level over. This gives newer players a chance to practice their moves before heading right into battle. 

Planning: Developing a systematic approach for setting and achieving goals.

In order to upgrade items and potions, the player needs to spend the in-game currency. When Kid goes out exploring the other parts of the world, he can break open items and find currency and bring it back to the Bastion. This is not, however, an infinite resource and the player needs to use their planning skills in order to determine what they want to prioritize upgrading and how much they will need to save for certain larger upgrades.