Do you worry that if you buy your child a games console such as the Nintendo DS Lite this Christmas you’ll lose them to a fantasy world of violence and doom?
As my mother always said, too much of anything is a bad thing and the same goes for video games. But used in moderation the new generation of handheld consoles can bring huge benefits to a child and their family, when used responsibly.
Top 5 Benefits
1. Video Games can be a Powerful Learning Tool
First of all and most importantly, scientific research now suggests video games can be powerful learning tools which improve hand-eye coordination, visual spatial skills, problem solving and scientific thinking.
One US study suggests that the younger the child the greater the benefit. In a Fordham University study, researchers studied the 122 children to see if playing games improved cognitive and perceptual skills.
“The younger kids are focusing more on their planning and problem solving while they are actually playing the game, while adolescents are focusing less on their planning and strategizing and more on the here and now,” said Fordham psychologist Fran Blumberg, who conducted the research last year and plans to submit it for publication. “They’re thinking less strategically than the younger kids.”
Other studies have shown that surgeons who are also proficient gamers have greater dexterity in the operating theatre.
One study of 33 laparoscopic surgeons* found that those who played video games were 27 percent faster at advanced surgical procedures and made 37 percent fewer errors than those who didn’t.
2. “Nintendo Time” as a Powerful Bribery Tool
Just admit it. All parents need an arsenal of bribing tools to hand to get through the day.
It could be crisps and snacks or tally time, so why not introduce “Nintendo Time”? I always prefer the Carrot to the Stick approach when it comes to encouraging my kids to do their homework or help out in the home. We adults get rewards for our work in the form of our pay and bonuses, why shouldn’t kids be rewarded too? If they haven’t discovered the joys of gaming yet you will be amazed at how quickly little jobs get done and how enthusiastically they get on with their homework when you promise some “Nintendo Time “ afterwards.
If you’re fairly relaxed with the time they spend on the console, you will find that they won’t abuse it but will be happy to put it down knowing they can have another go later. You will probably be surprised at how responsible they are with it when given free rein.
3. Your Old Console May Need Updating
We moved on to the Nintendo DS Lite after our son had used the Nintendo Gameboy Advanced for some time. He had behaved responsibly with the Gameboy but I had become concerned about eye strain since it does not have a back light and the screen is consequently very dim.
The new Nintendo DS Lite is lighter and smaller than the old DS and it has two beautifully bright LCD screens which have four brightness levels which can be adjusted according to the conditions.
So I no longer have to worry as much about eye strain, although you still need to ensure regular breaks to help prevent young eyes from getting too tired.
4. Video Games Occupy Bored Little Minds Beautifully
Anyone who has ever taken a flight with a young child without a portable DVD player or a DS Lite and kept their cool is a modern day saint in my opinion.
I am not a saint on any level so I recommend the combination of portable DVD player and Nintendo DS Lite, both with headphones (check the sound levels regularly!) so that they don’t disturb anyone else around them. No more seat kicking, window blind opening, moaning for sweets or running up and down the aisles – bliss.
My top tip is to also take either the DS Lite or DVD player to restaurants when you go out in the evening too.
Once you’ve had a nice family chat and eaten your food together, watch their little faces light up when you bring out that little box of electronic tricks and help them relax at the table while you and your partner order another bottle of wine or maybe (shock, horror!) even a desert and have some adult time talking about the days events, planning the next and watching the envious faces of all the other parents around you whose kids are busy sending them mad at the table!
5. Improve Inter-family Relationships
My heart aches for a lot of Dads these days. Although they have become much better at getting involved in family life - most of the nice Dads I know are happy to change nappies, make up bottles, get up in the night and play a big part in their children’s lives – they have very little time for much else.
We mums always want our kids to talk to their Dads more and for our husbands to spend more time with their offspring, so why don’t we help that process along a little and provide a way for them to play together on their own terms? The Nintendo DS Lite’s wireless communication technology means that up to 16 players can connect with each other via a local wireless network.
Watch your family playing a Nintendo DS Lite game together, each on their own console, whooping and hollering and competing against each other and tell me that that kind of interaction isn’t beneficial to family relationships.
Handheld consoles need to be used responsibly and the games played need to be chosen with the age and sensitivities of the players in mind. But when you introduce a console such as the DS Lite into your home, you will see more benefits to family life than you may ever have imagined! Happy Gaming

written by millydou \\ tags: video games