We believe in family games night, it’s a great way to connect and focus on each other. But with three boys so young we have had to get a little creative! Games night for us has consisted of Hide and Seek, pretending to be a Rock n’ Roll band and eventually we got into some simple board games.
Now that my oldest son is five, game night is evolving. We are moving past the endless rounds of hungry hungry hippo and finding ourselves instead, still curled up on the couch together, but with controllers in hand. My big guy loves to play video games and it’s hard to blame him, they are fun, fast paced and exciting! I am in continuous awe of my son as he picks up new technology and masters it in record time, long before his mama does! It’s no secret that I am not a pro when it comes to anything techy and often times it’s my son teaching me how to play or set up the games.
So how does a parent who has limited knowledge of the video game scene engage with her boy and his favourite activity? Tech expert and parent, Marc Saltzman has the following tips:
- Don’t knock it ‘til you try it: parents may not want to look like complete “noobs” in front of their kids, but just as you might watch TV or read together, why not engage in interactive entertainment with the kids? Some parents may prefer to try out the games when the kids aren’t around to get used to them a little. Don’t worry – you can’t “break” the game!
- Pick a genre you all like: not all games appeal to the same people. Mom might have trouble associating with fantasy role-playing games like World of Warcraft or military shooters like Call of Duty. Discuss genres that cross a common ground (perhaps music games). Many multiplayer “party” games lend themselves to group play – try starting with a digital version of a family board game.
- Do your homework: while kids rarely read game manuals, parents who want to play with their kids might want to do so, as the controls are usually laid out with diagrams and descriptions. Also, most games begin with some kind of tutorial, so start at the beginning of the adventure! This should help alleviate common concerns heard from moms and dads, such as “I die within minutes”, “the controls are too confusing” and “he always beats me”.
- Switch platforms: if TV-based video game consoles and wireless controllers are too intimidating, try engaging with kids on another platform, such as a computer or tablet. In fact, there are many good multiplayer iPad games available for both game-savvy and not-so-game-savvy folks.
- Game (not) over: Don’t beat yourself up if this experiment in gaming with the kids doesn’t work. Remind them it’s just about connecting more and hanging out as a family. Perhaps at the very least you can make an effort to relax in the same room as the kids who are playing games – even though you might be flipping through a magazine on the couch.
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