Kids Are Our Future

Many games are usually fun, informative and challenging. However, if kids play these games excessively can become addicting, affecting their health, homework and taking away from their daily activities. How to help kids take advantage of games while avoiding game addition? Banning materials is definitely not the answer.

We suggest the following ways to help kids enjoy the pros while avoiding the cons.

1. Set rules on gaming, the rule should cover,
   • Have to complete homework and other study tasks first
   • Follow time limits on gaming
   • Take breaks while gaming
   • Play those games reviewed by parents
   • Talk any new games, which they want to play with parents first
2. Chose those games, which help kids improve creativity, analyzing skills and problem-solving skills
3. Encourage kids to play educational games
4. Play good games together with kids to communicate with them better once a while
5. Keep a close eye on whether the kids following the rules
6. Teach the kids about prioritizing and time management by the gaming rule
7. Discuss ethical and moral issues by the contents of the violent games
8. Teach the kids about communicating and adapting to a growing multicultural society, by their playing with online multiplayer games
9. Teach the kids internet safety by online virtual gaming world

What is important is to find good games tailoring different kids’ ages, set appropriate rules, and monitor carefully the kids when they play with the games, because what they watch and what they play does affect them. Parental involvement is always a must.

Educational games are games that have been specifically designed to teach people on a certain concept or subject, help healthy physical and or mental development, understand an historical event or culture, or assist them in acquiring knowledge and learning a skill as they play.

Simulation or video games have been used for security training. Some driving schools use driving simulators in the stage before going out on the road. Medical simulations help doctors learn about what they are doing without risking someone’s life. In addition, there are lots of interesting educational games for kids on coloring, grammar, words & puzzles, math, physics, chemistry, sports etc.

Some strategic games improve kids’ IQ by improving their ability and efficiency of their brain involving logic ability by improving problem-solving skills and puzzles improve players’ memory because it needs to memorize maps, passwords, codes or facts in order to progress through the game.

Games are a powerful medium, which can influence kids; we should make it have a good influence. Moderation is the key, not obsession. Some in moderation can be healthy; however overindulgence can lead to social isolation, depression, obesity or weight loss and family problems. Parents’ guidance is the key, so make the effort get involved with kids’ play and monitor them, help them to take the balance in life, do their main job, which is studying and getting good grades and stay involved socially.

I found an interesting website on educational games, which is the Official Web Site of the Nobel Foundation. There are some games and simulations, based on Nobel Prize-awarded achievements, which can teach and inspire kids while having fun! Parents and kids may enjoy testing and building their knowledge in physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature, peace and economics. So, have a try with kids together.

Educational games by Nobel Prize Foundation