 By Guest Blogger Shannon Entin I received a press release today touting a device that automatically turns off
any electronic device at the time you set. I laughed, as this PR person
obviously did not know me very well.
We don’t limit screen time in my
house. In fact, you might say we encourage it to some extent. Our entire family
utilizes screen time – the television, video game console, and computer – as an
educational tool. From the classic Sesame Street to PBS’s new (and
awesome) Word World to Schoolhouse Rock… From Tetris to
Major League Baseball 2K7 to Star Wars Battlefront… From
Clifford’s Reading Adventure to Learn to Play Chess with Fritz &
Chesster to Lemonade Stand … There’s something to be learned from it
all.
I homeschool two children, ages 3 and 9. Two children who spend a
good portion of some days in front of TVs and computers. Two children who I have
watched learn at an amazing rate when they are self-motivated to do so.
My son learned to read all on his own. I did very little to “teach” him
to read. He initially learned because of his desire to play a board game without
his parents being privy to what his cards said. From there it grew into trading
card games, then computer games – all involving reading and reading
comprehension, cooperation, team-building, hand-eye coordination, and problem
solving, not to mention math, reasoning and strategic planning.
As he
got older, his gaming repertoire expanded to online role-playing games, such as
Toontown.com and Runescape.com. These games, and
others, promote cooperation and team-building skills, map reading,
visualization, and geography. He learned most of his multiplication tables
through a game called Mutliflyer.
Video games are not just games
anymore, a la Pong. They are simulations, often simulations of real-life
activities, like sports or business ventures. These games enable children to
learn the rules, explore, and experiment in the safety of their home. When else
in the history of time have our children had these kinds of opportunities? I
think it’s truly amazing.
And I could go on and on about all the
conversations and learning opportunities that have been sparked by television
shows – everything from Disney Channel’s Cory in the House to History
Channel’s Modern Marvels.
As evidenced by the product pitch I
referenced at the beginning of this post, there are many parents who feel screen
time, and video games in particular, are antithetical to learning. I couldn’t
disagree more. Many people have been conditioned to believe that learning must
happen in a classroom, from a book. What’s the difference between learning
reading, math or problem-solving skills through a boring, hypothetical,
politically-correct textbook or from a fun, exciting – hence motivational – game
or character that your child adores? Well, I’d say a child is much more likely
to learn and retain knowledge through the second scenario.
I’ve also
noticed that by not limiting screen time, my kids don’t feel any urgency toward
the TV or computer. It’s just “there.” They don’t play or watch 12 hours a day.
They play a little, then naturally limit themselves because they are ready to
move on. They’re happy to go to playdates and classes or work on art projects or
play sports. Occasionally, my son will play for several hours when he’s
exploring a new game. But don’t we all get caught up when we’re learning
something new?
We would like to thank Shannon for her thoughtful article on learning and gaming. And we encourage you to take a moment to visit her exceptional blog, PHAT Mommy , where Shannon writes extensively on parenting, homeschooling, the Internet, and occasionally, politics.
Comments:
Users have left 3 comments.  3. Games are the new books? Sort of.Elle Sanders, EditorI used to drive my mother crazy because my nose was always in a book. Always. I would usually go to bed on time, but then 'sneak' in my late night reading. She worried about me, about my social development, and if I wasn't living what was considered a "normal (active) childhood". It was common for parents and people to worry about "bookworms". We weren't considered the most normal of kids, and possibly, socially unadjusted.
I loved the stories, the escapism, and I felt a little superior (I admit) because I learned so much...even from the books that would be considered to have no real Learning Value (mysteries, novels etc).
But I was learning vocabulary, structure, reasoning and more. When I got a little older, I fell in love with video games for many of the same reasons. They expanded my world-view, made me think, and let me play at living and being someone, somewhere else for a while.
But they also challenged my thinking in a whole new way. I couldn't go forward until I figured out the solutions for myself. I had to think on my feet. However, if I chose to take a mis-step, I had the luxury of a do-over. I got to experiment with different solutions and try out unusual approaches.
I still love books with a passion. And I still learn so much from books. But I think my mind is faster, and more agile, because of games. And playing games has made me a more intuitive and discerning reader, for sure.
Great article Shannon! 2. I totally agreeSarah, Unregistered People are bizarre. A hundred years ago sitting around with your nose in a book was considered a waste of time, damaging to creativity, and polluting our children's minds. Then it was tv, and now video games. When real parenting is going on it is not necessary to set arbitrary limits.
http://www.unbridledlearning.com 1. Me too!Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near, Unregistered ![[smiley=happy]](http://www.supersmartgames.com/components/com_jreactions/custom/templates/simple/smileys/smiley_happy.gif) We homeschool our newly 11 yr old and our 4 yr old and they , too, use all those tools to Learn. My son also plays runescape.com with me & my mother and has learned a great deal from it. He is an avid yugioh & pokemon fan and he too, realized that if he learned how to read, it would be to HIS advantage when dueling. So we don't limit their experiences with any of the stuff in our house either (except when that's ALL they do). It's nice ot see I'm not the only one :)) |
