Most parents scoff at the idea of videogames. Social media blames
a lack of morals, violence, and deficiency in parenting on games children play.
Truth is, children don't hold jobs, they can't even buy a majority of games
without an adults permission, and only a small percentage of kids exposed even
commit horrible acts. We tend to take a different approach...
If I encounter a rude adult/child that displays a filthy
vocabulary, instead of gasping and covering my kids' ears, it becomes a lesson.
I remind my children that we don't talk like that, and intelligent people use
their words, which is a much better approach than to hide it and make it more
appealing later in life when they naturally rebel. My aunt told me that an
intellectual person can get the same point across, with the same meaning if not
worse, without having to resort to profanity and ignorance (we pass that on to
our children). So before you ridicule the person in public that has a disregard
towards the fact minors share their space in public, find a positive solution.
Now don't get me wrong, we do our jobs as parents, screening out
things like GTA (Grand Theft Auto), Bully, or even Black Ops. I just feel that
the positives of even learning videogames are quickly over looked by a narrow
vision (which is how prejudice thrives, same mentality).
My children were exposed to LeapFrog since they were infants
(snagged them off shelves as they were made), I'd be folding laundry on my bed,
as they were in the crib next to me playing and not realizing they were
learning. Soon they were playing with Leapster Explorers, JumpStart on their
computers, and many other forms of videogames. My youngest has been reading
since he was four years old thanks to videogames!
My youngest looks up to his two older brothers, and that includes
wanting to play the same videogames they do, but his biggest issue was not
being able to read. So whether it was SpongeBob or Crash, he couldn't play well
because he couldn't read the directions. One day I didn't feel like stopping
what I was doing to "read what I do next", I told him that if he
couldn't read it than he needed to play a different game. For our little man
that loves to be independent, this was all the challenge he needed to learn how
to read. When he started school this year, he was already reading books... and
not just "Cat in the Hat" or "Hop on Pop". Our little man
that started walking by nine months old copies my middle son in reading
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (they have the entire series).
In conclusion... before we rip apart Xbox, Wii, or PlayStation we
should look at the hidden benefits! It is time you can spend bonding (compete
or conversations in a relaxed environment), or hidden lessons (whether
behavior, reading, or situations we otherwise wouldn't encounter). I personally
have been playing Everquest since a few weeks after it hit shelves, I play with
my husband (and best friend), and I have conversations in game with people all
over the world. http://www.everquest.com/free
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EDUCATIONAL GAMES
StarFall (learn to read)
PBS Kids
Sheppard Software
Primary Games
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