We often wonder why children lose themselves in games and how we can get them to listen to us and do the things they need to?
When there were no video games, there were board games and hop-scotch and tree-houses. Those other things are still around, and like sports, are not going anywhere.
But video games have evolved in the last few decades, becoming more and more life-like and larger than life at the same time. Through simulations, they have the power to stimulate attention and facilitate learning via actively engaging in imagination.
Video Games as an Outlet for Children with Social Anxiety or Neurodivergence
For some children with social anxiety or any kind of neurodivergence, video games can also be an outlet for confronting fears and navigating interpersonal spaces from the comfort of their homes. For example, a child who struggles with social anxiety might play an online game where they can interact with other players through a character avatar, allowing them to practise social skills in a low-stakes environment.
Fun Incentives and Mini Goals to Focus on Specific Tasks
The fun incentives and mini-goals can help them focus their thoughts on specific tasks laid out in the game and work within the rules to reach a predetermined definition of success. For example, a child who struggles with attention issues might play a game that requires them to complete a series of tasks in order to progress to the next level, teaching them skills like planning, organisation, and time management.
Instructions Followed by Actions and Proactive Interaction
Instructions followed by actions and proactive interaction also help them work towards achievements while having fun and enough knowledge to avoid certain pitfalls or work around barriers. For example, a child who struggles with executive function skills might play a game that requires them to plan and strategize their actions, improving their ability to think ahead and make decisions.
Understanding Your Child’s Love for Video Games
Instead of strictly preventing or shaming children for their love of video games, parents can sit with them and understand what role video gaming plays in their children’s lives and what needs it unconsciously addresses. And from this, parents can then alter and create living conditions that induce the same level of fun learning and fulfilment, and establish tasks similar to video games while working with the children to understand where they’re coming from and how they can be helped beyond these springboards.
For example, a parent might notice that their child enjoys games with a strong sense of exploration and discovery. They could then encourage their child to engage in real-world activities that offer the same kind of experience, like hiking or visiting museums. Reflecting on video games offers valuable insights.
When children contemplate how they acquired the skills to play a game or achieve a specific task, they are actively honing the abilities necessary to decipher the optimal approach for mastering challenging tasks in various settings. By understanding and tapping into their child’s interests and needs, parents can help create an environment that supports their child’s growth and development, both inside and outside of the gaming world.
How This Connects To Building A Path Through Change
As we watch our kids grow and develop, we also know that their minds and neural pathways are developing too. Learning to see the strengths of their gaming abilities, helps our kids to see their own strengths, even in the gaming world. Then translating these gaming strengths into skills and talents into their everyday world will help your kids to see that they can apply and stretch their gaming strengths in new and interesting ways. And as an extra bonus, your kids will know that you see their strengths, no matter what they are doing. Now that’s growing together.
