Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Video Games Have Positive Effects On Kids As Well

By Ronald Lozinskerr


Most parents have a lot of misconceptions regarding video games like they cause the brain to deteriorate, kids to become violent and become socially isolated. Parents also think that these video games are a hindrance to learning and that they cause major distractions to learning.

But scientists and psychologists have a lot to say about video games and are advocates of playing these games. Studies show that video games could possibly teach kids better thinking skills that which are helpful when it comes to academics.

For starters, video games function like brain exercise. To win these video games, a player needs to think with high level analysis especially for those more complicated scenarios. These games whether through consoles or online games develop the minds mental skills such as following instructions accurately, solving logical problems, and improving hand eye-coordination, fine motor and spatial skills.

Parents need to understand that games require a lot of hand-eye coordination as well as spatial and visual attention. Shooter games for example simulate real worlds and movement in real time therefore stimulating the player to work on precise hand movements depending on eye perception of the 3D space. Visual-spatial analysis is needed in order to aim, shoot and hit properly.

In strategy games like StarCraft, WarCraft and Red Alert, kids learn about management and logistics. Players of these games need to manage limited resources efficiently and make critical decisions in order to gain favorable advantage. Kids will definitely learn to analyze real life situations and help them manage what they have in certain real life activities.

Our modern workplace require multitasking especially those that are office based and require the need to use computers. Strategy games require players to harvest resources while building forces. Skirmishes require players to act fast, manage defenses and offenses while continuing regular base management. Aside from multitasking, these games teach children how to become flexible and adapt to sudden changes.

Moreover, kids learn strategy and anticipation, pattern recognition, perseverance as well as teamwork and cooperation when it comes to multiplayer games online. Its easy to acces these free online games like truck games and parking games as long as you have a good internet connection.

Though there are a lot of positive effects, there are also negative effects such as wrong values and social isolation. Playing these games do not require imaginative thought because of the presence of graphics, that is why its not good when it comes to developing imaginative and art skills. Too much gameplay can become detrimental to the health, like poor eyesight and obesity.

Kids should be allowed to play video games as long as the gaming is limited and the hours are monitored. Following a strict schedule will help kids manage their own time between school and gaming.




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