| Kids love video games, but most such games have | | | | characters will keep her interested, and she may not |
| little or no educational value and many even glorify | | | | even realize just how much she is learning. If you find a |
| violence. So it's no surprise that parents often put | | | | game that allows two players to compete, you or a |
| severe limits on the types of games their kids can play | | | | brother or sister could play along with her to provide |
| and how often and long they can play them. | | | | some lighthearted competition. |
| That's not to say that all video games are bad. Many | | | | Those who are having trouble with reading or math |
| educational toy makers and children's book publishers | | | | often find computer games particularly useful. Games |
| have used the popularity of video games to their | | | | that introduce phonics, addition and subtraction are |
| advantage and created educational computer games. | | | | plentiful. The key is to find a game that will keep your |
| Kids find these fun and entertaining and adults like | | | | child's attention while focusing on the specific things |
| them because they teach kids new things and | | | | she is having trouble with. |
| reinforce what they are learning in school. | | | | How Much Is Too Much? |
| Computer Games for Preschoolers | | | | Although educational computer games are good for |
| In this the "Information Age", it is becoming increasingly | | | | children they should still be used in moderation. Sitting in |
| important for children to become comfortable with | | | | front of a computer playing the same game for hours |
| computers when they are young. Computer games | | | | on end will not benefit your child. She needs to |
| are available for kids as young as preschool age. | | | | participate in physical activity and non-electronic |
| While your child probably won't be able to do much | | | | educational activities as well. |
| typing at that age, you can help her learn how to use a | | | | Opinions vary, but a half hour to an hour a day is a |
| mouse. And that is all that most games aimed at | | | | good rule of thumb for video game limits. There's no |
| young children require. | | | | point in pushing your child to play every day, either. If |
| Preschoolers can play games that help them learn the | | | | she doesn't want to play, then requiring her to do so |
| alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors. Some games | | | | may cause her to dislike the game and defeat the |
| help a child learn to match objects or develop early | | | | purpose of it. |
| phonics skills. These games serve a dual purpose of | | | | Computer games are a fun way to help your child |
| educating your child about the subject at hand and | | | | learn new things and do better in school. When used in |
| getting her comfortable with the computer. | | | | moderation, they can supplement other teaching |
| Computer Games for Grade Schoolers | | | | methods nicely. Providing appropriate games and letting |
| Once your child starts school, computer games can | | | | your child decide when to play while setting time limits |
| help her grasp concepts that she is having trouble with | | | | will maximize the benefits of these great educational |
| in school in a fun and pressure-free way. Finding | | | | resources. |
| educational games that feature her favorite cartoon | | | | |