RE: How does Dr.G feel about video/computer games

[Guest guest]

Dr. G encouraged me for a few years to use educational computer programs

that would help my son to fill in any skills he might have missed when he

was a " sick " toddler/preschooler. Like Reader Rabbit and Jumpstart. I don't

know how he feels about computer games for older kids.

Kristy Nardini

TazziniTM Stainless Steel Bottles

www.tazzini.com

kristy@...

Phone: 858.243.1929

Fax: 858.724.1418

P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

ljburns83

Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 7:54 PM

Subject: How does Dr.G feel about video/computer games

Hi All,

I have trying for some time to keep my 6 yo son from playing video

games. That was easy, I just have not bought any. However, he has discovered

the computer and would play games all day long if I let him. Anyhow, just

wondering if anyone has had feedback from Dr. G regarding his take on

letting our kids play/limiting time with video games and computers.

Recently we moved to a new neighborhood and I would love for our house to be

" the place " for kids to hang out. Selfishly for more social opportunities

for our son. It appears that the most popular " destination houses " are those

with Wii or Nintendo, or other video games, none of which we have.

Any experiences/opinions on this matter also great appreciated. (Hint to

Marcia Hinds: any suggestions?)

Thanks All,

[Guest guest]

,

At our house (with 5 kids), we ³own² our kids¹ passwords (they don¹t know

them). They can¹t get onto the computer without coming to us first. We use

parental controls in their computer accounts as well... the kids are limited

to 30 minutes a day on weekdays and 1 hour on the weekend. They don¹t play

every day, but when they do and reach their time limit the computer boots

them off. No more arguing.

I only wish our gamecube had time controls. The kids are limited timewise

on that as well, though. It¹s just harder to get them to quit. If I had a

dollar for every time I heard ³I¹ve got to get to a ³save² point!².

Kids enjoy video games but IMHO they don¹t really encourage social

interaction... it¹s just two kids parallel playing and really not

interacting socially much at all. And they seem to be so addictive.

I¹ve noticed that when my kids do get a long turn, they get really crabby.

And then they want to stand there and watch the siblings turns as well. I

tell them that if they watch someone else¹s turn, that¹s their turn.

If I had it to do again, I don¹t know that I¹d bring video games into our

home.

There is one that I like though... it¹s a ³ Mix² DDR game for the

gamecube. My 4 youngest (and especially my two boys) will work up a

sweat playing it. It encourages coordination, paying attention and

exercise. Unfortunately, it¹s not made anymore (but can be had on eBay).

I¹m sure there are other DDR sports games for kids, (just not for the

gamecube, which is what we have). I know the Wii has sports games. And the

Wii is, I think, backward compatible with gamecube games (someone correct me

if I¹m wrong there).

Then again, I¹m trying to remember what Marcia did to get kids to come

over... I know she talked about that at one point.

There are some educational computer games that Dr. Goldberg mentioned way

back when.... maybe someone can remind us what they are.

Dr. Goldberg has talked to us about offering ³time for time² (my words).

Such as if the child spends 30 minutes doing a workbook for math skills,

then they can have a certain amount of ³fun time². That way they are

earning the privilege.

My two youngest play with Leapster and it does have some nice educational

games. I wish they would make Leapster games for older than about 3rd grade

because my kids love them as much as the other video games we have.

I¹m starting to ramble but just be warned that once you bring the device in,

it¹s sort of a done deal.

Good luck!

Caroline

From: ljburns83 <ljburns83@...>

Reply-< >

Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:53:45 +0000

< >

Subject: How does Dr.G feel about video/computer games

Hi All,

I have trying for some time to keep my 6 yo son from playing video

games. That was easy, I just have not bought any. However, he has

discovered the computer and would play games all day long if I let him.

Anyhow, just wondering if anyone has had feedback from Dr. G regarding his

take on letting our kids play/limiting time with video games and computers.

Recently we moved to a new neighborhood and I would love for our house to be

" the place " for kids to hang out. Selfishly for more social opportunities

for our son. It appears that the most popular " destination houses " are those

with Wii or Nintendo, or other video games, none of which we have.

Any experiences/opinions on this matter also great appreciated. (Hint to

Marcia Hinds: any suggestions?)

Thanks All,

[Guest guest]

I have made some interesting observations regarding computer time. Back in the

day my son would get excessive computer time. Since we have adopted a system of

1/2 hour a day with rewards minutes for extra chores and this works well as a

motivator. What I have come to realize is more than 15 - 30 minute periods

causes sensory issues and propagates agitation. A kind of neuro feed back

working in reverse. I do allow and support educational activities we get from

his schools website. These are additional minutes he can earn by completing

homework projects independently.

The only Video game I allow is Wii and only when other children are visiting. We

only have the basic sports package. Connor has learn the basics of group sports

like baseball and soccer playing these games with friends and then applies this

understanding by playing with friends outside afterwards. Again too long on Wii

there is an obvious increase in agitation.

From: Caroline Glover <sfglover@...>

Subject: Re: How does Dr.G feel about video/computer games

Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 10:08 AM

 

,

At our house (with 5 kids), we ³own² our kids¹ passwords (they don¹t know

them). They can¹t get onto the computer without coming to us first. We use

parental controls in their computer accounts as well... the kids are limited

to 30 minutes a day on weekdays and 1 hour on the weekend. They don¹t play

every day, but when they do and reach their time limit the computer boots

them off. No more arguing.

I only wish our gamecube had time controls. The kids are limited timewise

on that as well, though. It¹s just harder to get them to quit. If I had a

dollar for every time I heard ³I¹ve got to get to a ³save² point!².

Kids enjoy video games but IMHO they don¹t really encourage social

interaction. .. it¹s just two kids parallel playing and really not

interacting socially much at all. And they seem to be so addictive.

I¹ve noticed that when my kids do get a long turn, they get really crabby.

And then they want to stand there and watch the siblings turns as well. I

tell them that if they watch someone else¹s turn, that¹s their turn.

If I had it to do again, I don¹t know that I¹d bring video games into our

home.

There is one that I like though... it¹s a ³ Mix² DDR game for the

gamecube. My 4 youngest (and especially my two boys) will work up a

sweat playing it. It encourages coordination, paying attention and

exercise. Unfortunately, it¹s not made anymore (but can be had on eBay).

I¹m sure there are other DDR sports games for kids, (just not for the

gamecube, which is what we have). I know the Wii has sports games. And the

Wii is, I think, backward compatible with gamecube games (someone correct me

if I¹m wrong there).

Then again, I¹m trying to remember what Marcia did to get kids to come

over... I know she talked about that at one point.

There are some educational computer games that Dr. Goldberg mentioned way

back when.... maybe someone can remind us what they are.

Dr. Goldberg has talked to us about offering ³time for time² (my words).

Such as if the child spends 30 minutes doing a workbook for math skills,

then they can have a certain amount of ³fun time². That way they are

earning the privilege.

My two youngest play with Leapster and it does have some nice educational

games. I wish they would make Leapster games for older than about 3rd grade

because my kids love them as much as the other video games we have.

I¹m starting to ramble but just be warned that once you bring the device in,

it¹s sort of a done deal.

Good luck!

Caroline

From: ljburns83 <ljburns83@sbcglobal .net>

Reply-<groups (DOT) com>

Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:53:45 +0000

<groups (DOT) com>

Subject: How does Dr.G feel about video/computer games

Hi All,

I have trying for some time to keep my 6 yo son from playing video

games. That was easy, I just have not bought any. However, he has

discovered the computer and would play games all day long if I let him.

Anyhow, just wondering if anyone has had feedback from Dr. G regarding his

take on letting our kids play/limiting time with video games and computers.

Recently we moved to a new neighborhood and I would love for our house to be

" the place " for kids to hang out. Selfishly for more social opportunities

for our son. It appears that the most popular " destination houses " are those

with Wii or Nintendo, or other video games, none of which we have.

Any experiences/ opinions on this matter also great appreciated. (Hint to

Marcia Hinds: any suggestions? )

Thanks All,

[Guest guest]

We use the Wii as a reward for good behavior at home and school, getting

homework done, doing chores, etc. There are some days, though, it does get out

of hand, especially if I'm not feeling well or am tired. The computer is easier.

We restrict access and use it mostly for practicing spelling words, math games,

etc. My oldest son, 11, loves NFL.com and has his own fantasy team, so he goes

on that site.

All the best,

Robyn

p.s. Don't quote me on this, but if I'm remembering correctly, we were talking

about Noah at one of our appointments and I told Dr. G about Noah's skill on the

Wii. He said it was great for coordination but should be limited. He likes the

idea of using it as a reward.

________________________________

From: Caroline Glover <sfglover@...>

Sent: Wed, February 3, 2010 7:08:07 AM

Subject: Re: How does Dr.G feel about video/computer games

,

At our house (with 5 kids), we ³own² our kids¹ passwords (they don¹t know

them). They can¹t get onto the computer without coming to us first. We use

parental controls in their computer accounts as well... the kids are limited

to 30 minutes a day on weekdays and 1 hour on the weekend. They don¹t play

every day, but when they do and reach their time limit the computer boots

them off. No more arguing.

I only wish our gamecube had time controls. The kids are limited timewise

on that as well, though. It¹s just harder to get them to quit. If I had a

dollar for every time I heard ³I¹ve got to get to a ³save² point!².

Kids enjoy video games but IMHO they don¹t really encourage social

interaction. .. it¹s just two kids parallel playing and really not

interacting socially much at all. And they seem to be so addictive.

I¹ve noticed that when my kids do get a long turn, they get really crabby.

And then they want to stand there and watch the siblings turns as well. I

tell them that if they watch someone else¹s turn, that¹s their turn.

If I had it to do again, I don¹t know that I¹d bring video games into our

home.

There is one that I like though... it¹s a ³ Mix² DDR game for the

gamecube. My 4 youngest (and especially my two boys) will work up a

sweat playing it. It encourages coordination, paying attention and

exercise. Unfortunately, it¹s not made anymore (but can be had on eBay).

I¹m sure there are other DDR sports games for kids, (just not for the

gamecube, which is what we have). I know the Wii has sports games. And the

Wii is, I think, backward compatible with gamecube games (someone correct me

if I¹m wrong there).

Then again, I¹m trying to remember what Marcia did to get kids to come

over... I know she talked about that at one point.

There are some educational computer games that Dr. Goldberg mentioned way

back when.... maybe someone can remind us what they are.

Dr. Goldberg has talked to us about offering ³time for time² (my words).

Such as if the child spends 30 minutes doing a workbook for math skills,

then they can have a certain amount of ³fun time². That way they are

earning the privilege.

My two youngest play with Leapster and it does have some nice educational

games. I wish they would make Leapster games for older than about 3rd grade

because my kids love them as much as the other video games we have.

I¹m starting to ramble but just be warned that once you bring the device in,

it¹s sort of a done deal.

Good luck!

Caroline

From: ljburns83 <ljburns83@sbcglobal .net>

Reply-<groups (DOT) com>

Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:53:45 +0000

<groups (DOT) com>

Subject: How does Dr.G feel about video/computer games

Hi All,

I have trying for some time to keep my 6 yo son from playing video

games. That was easy, I just have not bought any. However, he has

discovered the computer and would play games all day long if I let him.

Anyhow, just wondering if anyone has had feedback from Dr. G regarding his

take on letting our kids play/limiting time with video games and computers.

Recently we moved to a new neighborhood and I would love for our house to be

" the place " for kids to hang out. Selfishly for more social opportunities

for our son. It appears that the most popular " destination houses " are those

with Wii or Nintendo, or other video games, none of which we have.

Any experiences/ opinions on this matter also great appreciated. (Hint to

Marcia Hinds: any suggestions? )

Thanks All,