Monday, November 23, 2009

Stop Feeling Guilty, Parents: Video Games Have Benefits

By Daniel Sose

Yes it's true. Video games can be beneficial for kids. A study from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, researchers discovered that playing active video games is same as you are doing moderate exercises.

Though parents may not have control over applying good learning and design principles into video games. However they can read on these helpful tips why video games are advantageous for kids.

First is to go for "E" rated games: Pick games that the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates as E for everyone or EC for early childhood.

Get physical: Games nowadays keep coming out that require players to actively move around to interact with the game.

Get some recommendations from teachers and other parents: Schools may sometimes have games available for the kids to play during recess and free time. The games may be checked out by other parents, try to get their opinion before purchasing a video game.

It is best to try before you buy: There are numerous web sites that offer free downloads of games that you can play for 30 to 60 minutes before the trial runs out. This greatly provides parents a chance to assess the game before buying.

It would be a good idea to go with known brands: Educational software publishers tend to put out reliable games that teaches children. These may include companies like Broderbund (The Learning Company), Riverdeep Interactive Learning Limited, Scholastic and Vivendi Universal Games' Knowledge Adventures.

Read reviews: Visit Amazon, game and parenting web sites to read game reviews. Rely on more than one source and plenty of reviews.

Of course, books and classroom learning still remain vital. However, video games can challenge the brain because kids have to figure out the rules of a game and navigate around the virtual world.

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