The onus of minimizing the effects and ensuring that children
receive a rounded upbringing falls on parents. It is important
to introduce character building activities and to censor games,
ensuring suitability. * Study guidelines established by the
Entertainment Software Board. They indicate suitability for
different age groups. Read the content label which will
summarize the game, this will serve as an appropriateness
guideline. * Know your child. If you find any signs of being
unsettled withdraw games that cause this change in behavior.
Introduce games that titillate the imagination and make use of
the mind. Avoid violence and aggression. * Visit
www.1888freeonlinegames.com, www.ESRB.com this provides game
ratings as well as reviews. * Rent a game and play it yourself.
First hand knowledge will serve you well. * Communicate with
other parents. You will glean the trends, know the popularity. *
Play the games with your child. Know their reactions and learn
their responses. * Establish an open relationship where your
child becomes comfortable even talking about what is
inappropriate or disturbing. Establish gently what is right and
wrong. Bullying does not help. * Set up the computer and gaming
console in a family room. All games will then be out in the
open. You will be in a position to judge and monitor. * Feel
free to contact the manufacturer and voice your opinion. * Study
in detail the plus and minus points of computer usage. *
Interact with your child at all levels. * Be a cautious buyer
-question claims of advancing brain development. * Introduce a
variable routine for your child. Outdoor activities interwoven
with computer related activities. * Focus on social and
emotional development. The child must be confident, curious, and
forthright; display self control; be able to relate linearly, be
caring and cooperative, and be communicative. * Choose games
that are fun and have a degree of effective learning. *
Introduce games that require two or more players--this fosters
social interaction. * Playing games should be a privilege not a
right. Emphasize that parental approval is a must. * Use games
to maximize your child's interests. If the child is mechanical
minded purchase games that encourage this talent. * Choose games
that require decisions and strategies. Games should be more than
shoot, blow up, destroy, and kill. Avoid killer machine games. *
Explain why a game is not to be played. Never just take away a
game. A child needs to understand why you are against playing
certain games. Gaming is a part of life. It introduces computer
technology, problem solving, and logic. It improves motor as
well as spatial skills. Games are not just entertaining, they
can be therapeutic too. Choose wisely and guide your child.
About the author:
About the Author : Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for
www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com
, the premier website to
play thousands of free online games including arcade games,
action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle
games and more. He also freelances for
www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com
.
