Computer Games Yes or No?

When it comes to staying fit and healthy I am one of the last people to jump into playing computer games.

It is never been any thing that I would recommend, setting in front of a computer screen for hours at a time.

I would always say go for a walk or read a book.

But since computer games started to become more physical and more hands on. With Wi-Fi (I do not have one. I have found myslef looking into computerese games as tool and a way to teach my children different skills that may help them later in life.

I have always said that learning to read and writes a must and so is keeping up to date with Information Technology.

So for the first time this week end I allowed my children to play a computer game.

We did this as a family by linking the computer to the TV so that every one could join in and take turns.

I am not very computer orientated and so I picked up some computer games from a local charity shop for about 50p each.

GOOD IDEA FOR GIFTS.

I then crossed my fingers and toes and hoped that I could get them to play knowing that some times this dose to all ways happen.

For the first time we managed to play as a family with everyone joined in.

The Games that we played I have listed below.

Other world Spring of Shadows Hidden Object Game By Blacklime Games /Big Fish (aged 7)

Dora the Explorer Lost City Adventure Nickelodeon (aged 3+)

Now ever playing computer games I found both of these every had to do so teaching my children what to do was a challenge.

All I can say is thank you to all of those gamers out their who put out information on how to play these games and how to “cheat.”

I was so happy that I was able to interact with my boys on a cold wet day and actually teach them something.

I pick these games because they are about problem solving and really get your mind thinking and looking at how things work.

I know that in the past there was a big promotion about “Brain Training” and things like cross words, work searching and Sudoku where all the range.

Now it is all about being creative and colouring and painting by number.

For me I think that little and often is the key.

So my aim with my boys is that on a Sunday afternoon we will look at playing a game as a family.

I already have a rule that Sunday is family day no mobile phones are allowed. At times this can be a challenge due to both me and my children's dad being self employed and running most of your lives on line now.

But for one day a week I like to turn off and just live with out the phone.

So my plan with be to check out what games I have and make sure that I know how to set them up and if some games do include multiply players I will look into this.

I still love board games but I know that with the game being on my PC then I am not going to have to worry about my little ones losing the pieces of putting them into their mouths.

Aims

Also I now that the games are off line and will not cost me money if my children were to click on the wrong box so to speak.

I am hope to improve family time by allowing this one day a week treat.

Enable the boys to learn and improve their IT skills.

Improve their thinking, memory, manual dexterity,, communication, team building and confidence.

So we shall see.