Monday, September 15, 2008
Do your kids like games? Have they tried the different types of free online games that are on the Internet? The excitement of video games makes playing them addictive. Ask any preteen how they love to spend their spare time, and chances are you will get an earful about video games.
But why do they love them so?
According to some studies it would appear that the excitement of video games causes the brain to release a chemical that is, in essence, addictive. For any parent who has seen the fervor by which some kids play video games, this news is hardly surprising to them.
What makes these games so addictive?
They are very compelling with increasing complexity, so a child becomes more facile, yet wants to know more and apply new skills while wanting to improve their game is not a problem in itself. Some say it offers some real opportunities for puzzle solving, strategic and critical thinking and its also very important that video and computer games are played in moderation. From the humor of pre-school games, to the realistic violence of some teen games, the video game culture often relies on violence for entertainment and for good reason violence is inherently attention grabbing for most people. Some have the opinion if you want to get the attention of video gamers you have to keep them energized, you have to keep them attracted and attending to the stimuli, video and computer games can have the most profound influence on the behavior of children, simply because children retain a lot more information if they learn actively, rather than passively.
Another great advantage is that many of these games are educational games for kids. Children learn eye hand coordination and mental strategy. Some are even educational and they can learn about history and culture as in “age of the empires”.
But why do they love them so?
According to some studies it would appear that the excitement of video games causes the brain to release a chemical that is, in essence, addictive. For any parent who has seen the fervor by which some kids play video games, this news is hardly surprising to them.
What makes these games so addictive?
They are very compelling with increasing complexity, so a child becomes more facile, yet wants to know more and apply new skills while wanting to improve their game is not a problem in itself. Some say it offers some real opportunities for puzzle solving, strategic and critical thinking and its also very important that video and computer games are played in moderation. From the humor of pre-school games, to the realistic violence of some teen games, the video game culture often relies on violence for entertainment and for good reason violence is inherently attention grabbing for most people. Some have the opinion if you want to get the attention of video gamers you have to keep them energized, you have to keep them attracted and attending to the stimuli, video and computer games can have the most profound influence on the behavior of children, simply because children retain a lot more information if they learn actively, rather than passively.
Another great advantage is that many of these games are educational games for kids. Children learn eye hand coordination and mental strategy. Some are even educational and they can learn about history and culture as in “age of the empires”.
Labels: kids games, kids video games
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In fact, they're finally at the age (5 and 7) where they enjoy watching us play the more complicated strategy games. I can't believe just how well they grasp the games! They can give some pretty good advice by now!