Children definitely like video games. However, it is a cause for
concern to parents as a lot of these games contain materials that are
not fit for children. Violence, bad language and nudity abound in some
of these videos. Here are some tips to help parents choose video games
that are safe and enjoyable for children:
1. Take into account your children's interests. For children who love animals, some of these stuff feature animals. There are also sports-related digital entertainment systems for those interested in sports. Others revolve around fantasy themes or challenging strategies. Children will enjoy the ones that are attuned to their interests.
2. Find out what other mothers are saying about their children's video games. Other mothers' comments are bound to be more reliable than any ratings posted on the packaging. You can talk to mothers who have children who are about the same age as yours, or you can browse for customer reviews. You can benefit a lot from other parents' recommendations and criticisms.
3. Consult the ratings posted by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) on the packaging. However, do not make this your sole basis for purchasing. They usually classify these software in terms of suitability to a particular age bracket. Read the reasons used by the ESRB for categorization, and see if they are acceptable to you.
4. Use the parental control settings incorporated on your kids' entertainment consoles or computers. These settings use the ESRB ratings to block out any games that do not fall within the ratings that you have specified. As these settings are password-restricted, you would be able to protect your kids from inappropriate elements even during the times when you are not directly supervising them.
5. Children like games that make them feel powerful and in control. Manufacturers of these software intentionally create videos that fulfill this particular need in children by incorporating violence. Try to choose those that children will find challenging and thrilling without being violent. There are videos that provide challenging puzzles and give children a feeling of accomplishment.
6. Avoid purchasing games that require too little effort from your children, as they will surely find them boring in a short span of time. Look for those that are intellectually challenging and which enhance their critical thinking skills.
7. For your young girls, find those with characters that encourage strength and accomplishment.
8. Choose dual or multi-player entertainment systems that help develop your child's socialization skills. Some of these intentionally require cooperation among its players.
The best way for you to decide if a video game is worth purchasing is for you to try them out yourself first. You can ask the vendor for a sample demonstration within the store, or you can rent it out first. Go over reviews and talk to other parents. That way, you can ensure you would be getting your money's worth when you decide to buy it. At the same time, you would feel confident that the ones you chose are not unconsciously sowing negative values among your kids.
1. Take into account your children's interests. For children who love animals, some of these stuff feature animals. There are also sports-related digital entertainment systems for those interested in sports. Others revolve around fantasy themes or challenging strategies. Children will enjoy the ones that are attuned to their interests.
2. Find out what other mothers are saying about their children's video games. Other mothers' comments are bound to be more reliable than any ratings posted on the packaging. You can talk to mothers who have children who are about the same age as yours, or you can browse for customer reviews. You can benefit a lot from other parents' recommendations and criticisms.
3. Consult the ratings posted by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) on the packaging. However, do not make this your sole basis for purchasing. They usually classify these software in terms of suitability to a particular age bracket. Read the reasons used by the ESRB for categorization, and see if they are acceptable to you.
4. Use the parental control settings incorporated on your kids' entertainment consoles or computers. These settings use the ESRB ratings to block out any games that do not fall within the ratings that you have specified. As these settings are password-restricted, you would be able to protect your kids from inappropriate elements even during the times when you are not directly supervising them.
5. Children like games that make them feel powerful and in control. Manufacturers of these software intentionally create videos that fulfill this particular need in children by incorporating violence. Try to choose those that children will find challenging and thrilling without being violent. There are videos that provide challenging puzzles and give children a feeling of accomplishment.
6. Avoid purchasing games that require too little effort from your children, as they will surely find them boring in a short span of time. Look for those that are intellectually challenging and which enhance their critical thinking skills.
7. For your young girls, find those with characters that encourage strength and accomplishment.
8. Choose dual or multi-player entertainment systems that help develop your child's socialization skills. Some of these intentionally require cooperation among its players.
The best way for you to decide if a video game is worth purchasing is for you to try them out yourself first. You can ask the vendor for a sample demonstration within the store, or you can rent it out first. Go over reviews and talk to other parents. That way, you can ensure you would be getting your money's worth when you decide to buy it. At the same time, you would feel confident that the ones you chose are not unconsciously sowing negative values among your kids.
Aline Heller writes about parenting and family life. To learn more about video games for children, go to Video Game Hotlist. Another resource is Video Game Godfather eCourse.
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