I bought 2 wireless GameStop label controllers for my kids. These are essentially MadCatz controllers. They are smaller than the smallest Microsoft controller which is great for small hands. I hope my Advanced R&D crew appreciates the size and the lack of cables.
Along with these I picked up the Cars game and the Tiger Woods 2007 (for myself) along with a 3rd game of Ratatouille. These 3 games are rated E and have no or mild violence. They can also be played by at least 2 players, which helps me with my objective of getting my kids playing together and cooperating. I will let you know how they like both games and controllers in a future post.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
5 Tips for Choosing Electronic Games
Is there any guidance out there for parents in selecting video games for kids? Not as much as you would expect. However, I found some good tips for selecting games for kids from the PBS parenting site. When choosing games for your kids keep these in mind:
1. Use software and computer time to develop social skills.
2. Identify Web sites and software that encourage your child to explore.
3. Find activities that allow your child to make original art.
4. Look for games that permit your child to experiment with music.
5. Look for activities that let your child feel he is doing something "real."
So in looking for games for my kids I will look for a game they can both play together and allows them to explore the game in cooperation. In addition if I can make it so they produce something together while doing this it would be great. I have to pay special notice that it helps them build skills rather than beating an opponent and helps them learn fair play. I will be with them through this process and play together with them.
1. Use software and computer time to develop social skills.
2. Identify Web sites and software that encourage your child to explore.
3. Find activities that allow your child to make original art.
4. Look for games that permit your child to experiment with music.
5. Look for activities that let your child feel he is doing something "real."
So in looking for games for my kids I will look for a game they can both play together and allows them to explore the game in cooperation. In addition if I can make it so they produce something together while doing this it would be great. I have to pay special notice that it helps them build skills rather than beating an opponent and helps them learn fair play. I will be with them through this process and play together with them.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
What my Kids Currently Play...Or Not!
What do 3-year-old twins play as far as video games? The categorical, unequivocal answer is, it depends! It depends on which one you are asking about and how you define playing. My boy loves the Spider Man and Sponge Bob joystick games that he has been given or we purchased for them (or him if you ask his mom). The girl loves the Sponge Bob jellyfish joystick and the colors and might be persuaded to sit all of 2 minutes playing the game. However she can spend hours looking at the control, much to the exasperation of her brother.
My focus then is how do I guide my boys’ attention to less violent more educational games and how do I motivate the girls’ attention to some educational games. An important note is that I play all the games my kids play with them and I limit their use of them to certain periods and number of hours during the day. However, I really do not know what the right number of periods and times should be and what the best games are hence the journey being documented in this blog.
I suspect he plays too much and that she could benefit more from interesting educational games. I can tell you every time I spend time with my boy I can see how he developed skill and understands different concepts intuitively even if he can’t understand what I try to teach him. In other words he is learning to play and learning concepts at the same time. Currently I have not found an interesting game for my girl and she quickly grows tired of them and shows little progress but that too will change!
My focus then is how do I guide my boys’ attention to less violent more educational games and how do I motivate the girls’ attention to some educational games. An important note is that I play all the games my kids play with them and I limit their use of them to certain periods and number of hours during the day. However, I really do not know what the right number of periods and times should be and what the best games are hence the journey being documented in this blog.
I suspect he plays too much and that she could benefit more from interesting educational games. I can tell you every time I spend time with my boy I can see how he developed skill and understands different concepts intuitively even if he can’t understand what I try to teach him. In other words he is learning to play and learning concepts at the same time. Currently I have not found an interesting game for my girl and she quickly grows tired of them and shows little progress but that too will change!
Video Games for Kids Under 6
Finding video games for kids under 6 is almost impossible. Add to that the fact mine are 3-year-old twins and a boy and a girl. Now that is downright impossible. However, I thought, in this day and age with Google and all other online resources it’s a doable task. What I quickly realized was that there is very little help out there. So this blog is my contribution to other parents in the same predicament that want entertaining yet positive games for their kids less than 6 years old.
Why 6 because the focus in the industry seems to be for kids 7 and above and specially kids 18+ or maybe 35+. That however is the discussion for another blog. Welcome to all and I hope you find this resource helpful.
Why 6 because the focus in the industry seems to be for kids 7 and above and specially kids 18+ or maybe 35+. That however is the discussion for another blog. Welcome to all and I hope you find this resource helpful.
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