On a computer, tablet or mobile phone, your children have access to a world of fun and knowledge, and they adapt to technology much better than we adults do. Therefore, offering this type of content to them ensures entertainment without leaving aside games, which are essential to a child’s universe.
Before turning on the computer and leaving your child alone in front of the screen, you should be aware of some tips so you know what kinds of games to direct them towards and so that your little ones can better enjoy this stimulus.
Learning through play is how children should be encouraged in the time they spend outside the classroom. Challenging their brains with games and play can improve cognitive functions such as memory, language and logical reasoning, critical skills they will use for the rest of their lives. It can also nurture their sense of wonder and imagination, a capacity that children possess like no other.
Child development happens as they learn, but adult supervision is necessary.
How To Make Games a Healthy Habit
First, it is necessary to understand that there are different games with different objectives for each stage of children’s lives. Therefore, you can suggest some options based on the description of the game and your child’s preferences so that they are more likely to enjoy and explore the game’s potential. However, do not use games as a form of distraction for calming a child, since it is not recommended that they spend an excessive amount of time engaged in this type of activity. It is also imperative to offer other stimuli, such as outdoor play, and to make them aware of their own responsibilities, such as making their bed and completing their homework. Children who spend too much time playing games can show symptoms of addiction and may even suffer serious consequences, so make sure to monitor your child!
Keep babies away from screens
There are even games made specifically for babies, but it is not advisable for their fragile eyes to be exposed to luminous screens. Babies can have fun with toys made specially for their age group, such as rattles, activity tables and picture books.
Stick Around
When you leave your child with a device that accesses the Internet, stay close and control the content displayed, because children can reach sites and applications not suitable for their age group. Some devices have the option to configure a special mode for children, which blocks content, calls and other resources so children cannot use them.
Only 2 hours per day
Above the age of two, children should not spend too much time in front of screens. 2 hours a day is enough, including time spent with TV, video games, mobile phones, tablets and computers. It is essential for your child’s development that they receive outside stimulation, such as playing games that allow them to move their body and interact with friends, rather than spending hours immobile and indoors.
Suitable Games
Not every game will suit your child’s tastes. It is essential to keep an eye on what each child likes and needs, without forgetting their age, for this will yield an even more joyful gaming experience for your child.
- MINECRAFT – In this game, children can truly unleash their imagination to build worlds made of small virtual blocks. With several versions available, they can create houses, monuments, spaceships and even prepare a cake according to a recipe within the game. Furthermore, it is collaborative and encourages teamwork, decision making and action planning.
- CANDY CRUSH – With no sweets, games like Candy Crush, which require the player to organise different elements, aid in increasing the speed at which children reason through problems. The faster they go, the more special features appear, and the more points they can win.
- MATH GAMES – Children who are already in school and who already know basic arithmetic can practice mathematical operations with fun games that teach them to add, subtract, multiply and divide. This hobby also ends up reinforcing material taught in school and can help children who have difficulties with math content in the classroom. The advantage of these games is that they can be found quickly and in abundance online, which makes life easier for the parent and child.
- PAINT AND COLORISING GAMES – The discovery of colours, the perception of geometric shapes and the identification of characters can all be learned in simple painting and drawing games, especially for younger children. The child may not always be faithful to the colours of the real world, but this freedom provides a great way for them to exercise creativity.
- WORDSEARCH – Searching for words hidden among a collage of letters can help little ones to become familiar with the alphabet. This is especially useful for children between the ages of 5 and 7, who are still gaining mastery over language and vocabulary. In this kind of game, children can identify words they already know and learn some new ones, since, scientifically speaking, word searches help to develop short-term memory.
