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Growing up I remember loving toys, for a long time. Never thought I would leave them behind.
Then I found video games, as a young teen, and never looked back.
My son goes to daycare (no games really) and does play with things there. Legos, etc. Yet at home, if available, the only thing he cares to play is video games. He asks for Lego toys and he asks for toys all the time. . .
but he will sit and assemble (or help me assemble) then its back to a game. Most of his birthday gifts from his recent party are being played with by his brother (2 year olds)
We are setting aside time every night for homework (i..e practicing letters, etc). Its not like he has a huge amount of time for video games (maybe an hour 30 before dinner, 30 after dinner).
Yet on weekends/etc. . .its video games unless we make him do something else.
I can't find any real articles regarding indoor play games versus toys. I know he can't replace indoor play for outdoor play (and we do make sure he balances indoor play)
Anyone else see this. . .
Its a very game friendly household, i'm a big gamer mysef.
Its a very game friendly household, i'm a big gamer mysef.
Monkey see, monkey do!
I have seen it with my youngest. Once his older brothers got an Xbox, he was less likely to choose toys. But he never did like really "kid" stuff. Couldn't force him to watch Sesame Street even. I still buy and he will play with building-type toys (circuits, Legos), but he is into sports more than Xbox anyway.
If he's in day care, can I assume he's still in the pre-school age range? Please tell me he isn't playing video games for 2 hours a day!
Pull the plug Dad, on both of you. Just explain it "broke", and you'll get it fixed when parts are available. He'll probably groan for a couple of days, and then he'll amaze you with what he finds to do. When you reintroduce the game system, also introduce limits so it doesn't "overheat" again.
Extensive hours of video games aren't healthy for young children. They need normal play to develop all sorts of motor and mental skills. Sitting in front of a TV pressing buttons for hours is going to stifle development of fine and large motor skills and lord knows how many types of development.
Personally, I dislike video games and tablets for kids- I don't think that they have any redeeming value when it comes to learning and I also believe that they stifle development in many ways. Playing outside or with Lego's or coloring will always be better for a child. Our children are never allowed to play with video games or smartphones or tablets and we can tell a difference between our kids and other kids who are allowed to play on them and the difference is usually negative.
Just like a previous poster said, unplug the gaming system for ALL of your family- that includes you, OP. Video games are for teen boys, not grown men. All you're teaching your kids is that it's okay to just zone out in front of a video game for hours on end. Teach them skills that they'll need in order to be successful in life, not how to blow apart buildings and knock crap down.
video games is like crack. The hierarchy is video games, tv then toys. There is a lot of research that says tv and video games really arent good for kids of any age. We are only home 2 hours a day, so I tend to let my kids do what they want to unwind, but I am about to pull the plug on screen time on weekdays. They seem happier when there is no screens on. But...I want screens for those two hours LOL.
Its a very game friendly household, i'm a big gamer mysef.
Congratulations. You have a little gamer! And he's off to a great start with those two hours a day he gets to play. More on the weekends! Of course while your little gamer is plopped down staring at the screen he's burning zero calories, getting no exercise or fresh air, not interacting with little friends or having a conversation with you or anyone else, but what the heck. It's a game friendly household - woo hoo! - and you won't have to cope with having an odd child who wants to go to the library or who asks to go to the park to practice hoop shots. Plus.... the good stuff doesn't stop...... he probably won't talk much while he's gaming so you won't be dealing with a kid who asks a lot of questions and, outside of the day the new game comes in the door, you won't spend your time explaining stuff to him. More time for gaming!! Lucky you!
Does he have his own tablet yet?
Last edited by DewDropInn; 11-13-2014 at 07:58 PM..
Congratulations. You have a little gamer! And he's off to a great start with those two hours a day he gets to play. More on the weekends! Of course while your little gamer is plopped down staring at the screen he's burning zero calories, getting no exercise or fresh air, not interacting with little friends or having a conversation with you or anyone else, but what the heck. It's a game friendly household - woo hoo! - and you won't have to cope with having an odd child who wants to go to the library or who asks to go to the park to practice hoop shots. Plus.... the good stuff doesn't stop...... he probably won't talk much while he's gaming so you won't be dealing with a kid who asks a lot of questions and, outside of the day the new game comes in the door, you won't spend your time explaining stuff to him. More time for gaming!! Lucky you!
Does he have his own tablet yet?
Of course, he has had an ipad since 3 (five now) about time for an upgrade.
Does someone have a jump to conclusion mat for DewDropInn? I thought I noted we moderated the gameplay . .and he did Soccer, he loves to swim (indoor pool), etc.
Of course, I continued doing research on my side. It looks like the research that has been done seems to indicate Video games are pretty good, far better than TV, and that the only thing I really need to be worried about is getting them to do physical activity.
So a big, whew, unless alternate research comes in.
I've also read a lot of evidence that toys have been in trouble, as kids are replacing toys with games at a younger age (think Legos). That is why Lego Batman 3 is the game of the moment I guess.
By the way, Video games have been great to me. I credit them for helping me get to a position where I make. . .far more than the average US household (maybe 2.5x?). I think the thing I want to make sure not to miss is get him signed up for Soccer, Swimming, etc. With any indoor activity, balance with moderation.
Yet this wasn't about physical exercise, this was about Video games versus toys (both very low calorie burning activities).
There is a lot of research that says tv and video games really arent good for kids of any age.
i've seen that passive items like TV a is kind of negative but video games has a lot of positive impact, per the articles i've found. Games are not passive, the research I found noted, and thus aren't in the same class.
just food for thought.
if you have any articles different, let me know. Some stuff about violence. . .but eh, week cheese.
i've seen that passive items like TV a is kind of negative but video games has a lot of positive impact, per the articles i've found. Games are not passive, the research I found noted, and thus aren't in the same class.
just food for thought.
if you have any articles different, let me know. Some stuff about violence. . .but eh, week cheese.
I'm not super interested in proving you wrong because all your effort will go into not listening and discounting my work because all you want it agreement. Why do people ask questions if they don't want real answers? I'm so confused, it keeps happening.
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