| Today, computer and video games outsell almost | | | | play back into learning and encourage children to |
| every other type of toy at toy stores. Most | | | | learn even after school and during playtime. |
| children play computer games or video games | | | | Educational computer games in fact have many |
| somewhere - if not in arcades and internet cafes, | | | | benefits. They are not very expensive, but can |
| then maybe at home or at friends' homes. The | | | | often help your child with difficult areas in school. |
| computer game industry is a billion dollar industry. | | | | For example, if your child is having a hard time |
| In many homes, it is also a key point of tension. | | | | learning to read, computer games can help |
| Should You Be Worried? | | | | improve your child's reading skills as part of a |
| Most child care experts and child education | | | | game. Your child will not feel discouraged and may |
| experts agree that parents should be worried | | | | even come to see reading as fun. |
| about the computer games their children play. | | | | There are in fact few drawbacks to educational |
| While most children enjoy playing computer | | | | computer games. Some parents have noted that |
| games, these toys are not always useful or | | | | many educational titles are aimed at younger |
| appropriate for children. In the best of | | | | children, but many software manufacturer's today |
| circumstances, games take children away from | | | | also develop good instructional content for older |
| school work and physical activities. At worst, | | | | children. One problem that many parents have is |
| many games give children less than ideal | | | | to get children - and especially older children - to |
| messages about violence, society, and advertised | | | | even try educational computer games. |
| products. Many computer games simply have little | | | | If your children already love computer games, |
| educational value. | | | | simply banning games can feel like a punishment. |
| Computer games also have been linked to some | | | | Children may resist having their entertainment |
| serious physical problems in children. Some | | | | taken away from them. A better alternative may |
| experts have blamed computer games and video | | | | be to make use of computer games to promote |
| games for increased rates of obesity among | | | | learning by selecting from the educational |
| children. Studies have shown that children also run | | | | computer games available. Educational computer |
| a high risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) when | | | | games are meant to develop skills such as math |
| they spend time playing computer games. | | | | skills, reasoning skills, reading skills, and word skills. |
| To reduce the risk of RSI, you will want to limit | | | | They are also designed to be fun so that children |
| your child's computer sessions to less than an | | | | actually enjoy playing these games. |
| hour. Keeping the computer in a visible area of | | | | In order to bring educational computer games |
| the house will make it easier for you to enforce | | | | successfully into your home, you need to set up |
| this rule. | | | | a system that works. First, you need to find |
| You will also want to create an ergonomically | | | | some educational software that your children will |
| correct computer station for your child. Even if | | | | enjoy. Then, you will have to suggest these |
| your child will be using the computer for less than | | | | games to your children. Many parents have found |
| an hour a day, make sure that your child has a | | | | that linking rewards to educational game works |
| comfortable, child-sized chair to use. | | | | wonders. For example, if children are able to get a |
| What Can You Do? | | | | certain amount of points in a word game or are |
| Experts suggest that educational games are not | | | | able to make a certain level of progress in a math |
| only a more age-appropriate alternative to violent | | | | game, they can be given small treats or prizes. |
| computer games, but studies show that | | | | This will help encourage children to enjoy the |
| computer games with educational content can | | | | games more and stick with the games. For young |
| help build skills such as math, vocabulary, writing, | | | | children, having a parent play a game with them |
| geography, mapping, thinking, memory, science, | | | | can be rewarding in itself. For older children, prizes |
| and other skills needed for success in school. | | | | and rewards often work best. |
| Some educators claim that computer games put | | | | |