I’ve got kids. 2 of ‘em. Like most kids, they are into games and are rarely without their Nintendo DS.
Now, obviously I’m into games and have been since I was their age, so I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
I know plenty of parents that complain that their kids spend too much time playing games. I actually complain that they don’t play enough.
Now, I obviously don’t think all games are suitable for kids. They’re not. Some are completely unsuitable for obvious reasons- that’s what the PEGI ratings are for. But many games are unsuitable for a different reason- they might be age appropriate but if they are a simply a mindless distraction then they would actually be better off playing Grand Theft Auto.
I know a parent who thought games were bad. I expained that if your kid plays a good game, that they can appreciate as a designed object, that playing games can be a great thing.
If a game is challenging, not just as a test of co-ordination, but also as a mental exercise, then the child is spending their time constructively.
At the moment, their child is playing the same game as mine- Mario 64 on the DS.
Mario 64 is a perfect example of a great kids game. It’s a stunning piece of design, it gives the player a thorough mental workout and importantly it’s rock hard. Well, it is if you’re 8.
You see, the levels of concentration, determination and patience required are way beyond that of an 8 year old.
But once kids are sucked in by it’s smooth initial difficuly, it quite quickly becomes a real challenge- yet they stick with it.
An increase in a childs ability to focus and solve difficult problems is a huge payoff. So parents should encourage it.
Getting kids to sit still and concentrate is a constant struggle for any parent. Having them hooked on something that is good for them is also very useful as a bargaining tool- “Eat your broccolli then you can play DS….”
But having kids glued to a DS can cause tantrums, arguments and sulks. These can be avoided.
As a gamer, I understand that my kids will not be able to just turn off the game when I tell them to without an argument.
They are playing the game to make progress and asking them to turn it off will often lose that progress.
So, as a parent, you have to understand the concept of game saves.
Depending on the game, it might automatically save progress or it might have checkpoints.
Have a conversation with your child about the game they are playing- understand how progress is saved.
Mario 64 for example has checkpoints. The level needs to be finished before the progress is saved. Bearing in mind that it is a challenging and engrossing game, if you ask your kid to turn it off NOW then they will kick off.
Instead, make sure they turn off when they finish the level, or when Mario next loses a life.
Pokemon lets you save the game yourself, but only when you’re not in a battle.
“I can’t save now, I’m in a battle!!”
Save them the tantrum and let them finish it.
All this is easier if you are a gamer yourself- I know what the sound effects are when a level is cleared or the game is over. That makes it a lot easier to catch them out.
Now, a lot of you will read this and think it’s obvious. That’s ‘cos you play games.
It’s probably safe to assume anyone reading my blog is a gamer, but pass this information on- share it with your better half and they’ll appreciate it.
Another thing- Only let them play one game at a time. Buy them a new one when they finish. It’s hard to focus on a game if you have too many to choose from and the promise of a new game is a great incentive for them when it gets tough.
My kids biggest obsession is Pokemon. They’ve completed all of them and that makes me proud.
Finishing any game is a big achievement. I know there’s plenty on my shelf that I haven’t finished.
They have plenty they haven’t finished too. There’s no point me forcing them to finish a game if they’re not into it. That’s the thing with games- you only bother finishing the good ones.
So only get them good games. Read reviews, make informed choices. Don’t just buy whatever’s cheap or based on a TV programme. It will end up gathering dust.
Usually a good bet is to get anything with Mario in. MarioKart is probably the best game on the DS and is a great one for kids. Start them on that.
My kids are also playing Pokemon Snap on the Nintendo 64 at the moment. It’s teaching them how to aim and shoot in a first person perspective. A really useful gaming skill.
They think they are just photographing Pokemon but they are actually in training to play Goldeneye!
So, use games to teach your child new skills and habits. Have conversations about the games and get involved.
Then one day your child will pwn you in a game of Mariokart. That’s gonna be a proud day…
