In our computer age, every person, in my opinion, should be able to use a computer. It is very joyful that there are sites on the Internet for young parents where you can share experiences, ask for advice on an exciting problem, find a lot of information on a topic that interests each of us, and you can even consult with various specialists.
I don’t consider myself an expert. At one time, while pregnant, I found a lot of information on pregnancy, childbirth, and child care on the Internet. I received especially valuable information in forums, because people there always give valuable advice. I also decided to make my small contribution and share my experience.
In this article I would like to make a short review of children's computer games. Why did I decide to write about this? The ability to use a computer will certainly be useful to the child in the future; besides, games can enrich the child with knowledge such as the alphabet, counting, logical thinking, and help develop imagination. Perhaps some readers will object to me that a small child should spend time at the computer. But I also think that there will be those who, like me, believe that 15-20 minutes at the computer will not harm a child.
First I want to tell you about my family. Our son is 5.5 years old. He has been playing computers since he was 3 years old. Since our dad is a computer scientist, the child also wanted to play. At that time there was not such a large selection of computer games for children, but we still managed to buy something. At first it was difficult for him to master the mouse, but gradually he learned to control it. And things went well. I want to say that computer games have benefited my son. He began to recognize numbers, letters, and also draw pictures on the computer, and learned to think about what to do in a given situation.
Now I want to give a short overview of the games we play, and at the same time I will tell you how we do it and what we have learned.
Negative aspects of computer games
On the one hand, it is convenient for parents: the child sits in one place - does not make noise, does not disappear on the street with someone unknown. On the other hand, doctors quite often began to mention the dangers of computer games on children’s health, and that they have to pay quite a lot for comfortable silence. Therefore, any mother should know how computer games affect children.
Firstly, from sitting in one position, scoliosis, a disease of the spine, begins to progress. Due to prolonged concentration of attention, the child blinks less often, which causes “dry” eyes.
Secondly, computer games have a negative impact on the psyche of a growing organism. During the virtual game, children, like theater actors, get used to the image of their character. They imagine themselves to be fearless and get used to having “multiple lives.” When going outside, such a child’s sense of self-preservation is dulled. In a conflict situation, he does not even try to resolve the situation peacefully; the idea takes root in his head that force wins. The child's psyche is a subtle matter. Parents should pay attention if the child has become irritable, hot-tempered, or has attacks of aggression that were not there before. This suggests that the nervous system is overexcited at the moment of the “shooting game”, and then is compensated by inadequate reactions in everyday situations.
Don’t think that your daughter, who grows vegetables in a virtual garden, is completely psychologically safe. Such games kill the ability to work to achieve any result. The child gets used to it: he clicks the mouse - the goal is achieved - the virtual pet is fed, the garden is watered. And when difficulties begin in real life: not everything works out the first time, it is necessary to make physical and mental efforts, the child becomes depressed, and hysterics begin. You shouldn’t rely on character – it’s a matter of upbringing.
What can be done to minimize the negative impact of computer games on the development of a student? Psychologists cannot offer anything new except spending more time with the child, instilling a love of reading books, outdoor games, and demonstrating a passion for art by one’s own example. Organize family games of mafia or monopoly, focusing on live communication. Don't let computer characters raise your child.
How do computer games affect a child’s psyche?
Gambling addiction in children is a disease. Adults should remember how computer games affect a child’s psyche. The danger of the virtual world awaits children and teenagers. We need to remember the impact of devices on the child’s psyche. In order to fully develop, a child needs to be in constant contact with the world around him. Such contact includes communication with peers and parents, educational games, exploration of home and nature, and search for new sounds. Thanks to these actions, the child receives emotional impressions, because he passes every movement through himself. He thinks about every piece of information he receives and stores it in his mind.
But various devices provide children with only an image that cannot “talk” to them. Of course, educational cartoons and children's programs give the baby useful information, but they do not react to a specific child, do not cause any action in him, but simply hypnotize with colorful images.
In addition, up to a certain age, children are attracted only by bright images that quickly replace each other. Children are not able to assimilate the plot, perceive the characters of the characters and evaluate their actions. With the same success, you can sit a child in front of a washing machine, and he will enthusiastically look at the spinning drum.
In addition, dependence on gadgets occurs very quickly. Parents' attempts to distract their baby from the screen end in crying and scandals, because giving up something that brings pleasure is very difficult. Therefore, we need to remember the influence of computer games on the psyche of children.
What computer games can a child play?
Computers have deeply and reliably entered our lives, and we can no longer imagine ourselves without electronic devices. But besides work and entertainment, we often use computers in raising children, letting them play computer games.
However, modern games can be dangerous, traumatic for children, and contain scenes of violence and cruelty. How to protect children from such games, how not to make a mistake in choosing games, and whether children need computer games, discusses Passion.ru.
Does a child need a computer?
According to numerous studies by scientists, the rational use of a computer in raising and entertaining children is useful. However, the time spent in front of a computer monitor should be limited.
Children under 3 years old - no more than 15 minutes up to two times a day, children under 6 years old - up to half an hour twice a day, school-age children - no more than 40 minutes of session (no more than twice a day). Otherwise, an excess of emotions will cause overstimulation, and the flickering of the screen, invisible to the eye, but sensitive to the brain, will cause fatigue and even a decrease in vision and attention.
Are computer games good for children?
They are useful, but in moderation. If you become more familiar with the world of computer games, you will realize that carefully selected games can be a very convenient learning tool.
Moreover, games can involve those areas of knowledge where parents sometimes cannot give their child as much as a good educational game can. In addition, many professions today are already very closely related to knowledge of a computer and the Internet, so mastering and owning a computer for a child will be useful. Many games teach reading and writing, speed typing and logic, spatial thinking and broaden your horizons.
In addition, among children, computer skills and the ability to play popular games are a reason for meeting people and communicating. Only during games you need to monitor the child’s position and the lighting of the room, choose modern monitors that are less harmful to the eyes, and dose out the pleasure.
Games for kids
All children's games, browser-based or purchased on disk, can be divided into static and dynamic. Their main difference is the requirement to constantly monitor the progress of the game, the events that happened to the characters, and the player’s reaction.
It is advisable to start mastering a computer with static games in order to teach your child how to use the keyboard buttons, mouse or touch screen. This can be done from 2-3 years old, starting with simple games and tasks.
At 2-3 years old, you can assign your child a simple, colorful and bright game with images of animals and their sounds, where you need to click on the pictures of the animal that made the sounds. You can give your child a logic task - assembling shapes by color, putting together puzzles, but they must be clear and large.
All computer games for kids are designed to develop the concept of shapes, colors, qualities of objects, that is, to be useful.
