'Supports cognitive growth': How gaming can actually be beneficial for your kids
By Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh |
Playing video games can to parents seem like a mindless activity for kids จC though recent research has revealed many adults believe video games can be quite beneficial.
New data released by Australia Plays has revealed the majority of adults believe video games can help students learn, be creative and manage stress.
So much so that 91 per cent of parents that play video games ?with their children, do so to connect as a family and tap into these benefits.
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Dr. Jeffrey Brand, Professor at Bond University and author of the report says video games can support cognitive growth in young adults and makes for important family bonding time.
"Video games offer something for everyone - anyone can be a gamer, not just children and students, but parents, grandparents."
The report revealing 76 per cent of adults say video games can inspire students to be creative, while 74 per cent believe gaming can help students manage stress?.
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And ?Bronwyn Stuckey Director of Innovative Educational Ideas at Questacon, tells 9Honey Parenting that gaming can be a powerful tool.
"The games that I see have the greatest impact invite players to be inquiring and to imagine, design, create and share. Games like Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite Creative, Buzzy Games and Gamefroot do that so well," she says.
"We go there for conversations, for shared experiences and to build relationships. You need to be in a community to learn how to be a good community member."
Stuckey reveals games can be a great tool to encourage young people to commit to complex challenges. ?
"The ones kids love most aren't dumbed down. Ask any young child to explain Pokจฆmon and you'll know. Games have the potential to build resilience and tenacity in all of us."
Though one major concern parents do have when it comes to gaming is the amount of screen time kids are exposed to while playing these games.
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Something ?Stuckey says needs to be looked at from a different view point when they think about gaming.
"They are rarely just "vegging out" as we might be with TV or TikTok. They are not just consuming in these play spaces. They are trying on roles to socialise, design, strategize, mentor, and take the lead."
Though she does believe parents should still monitor the amount of time their children spend on all devices, and balance this with other activities.
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"I think we all recognise excessive use of devices when we see it in ourselves or our children," she tells 9Honey Parenting. "We should be out in the environment doing things together to step away from our devices."
Recommending parents get creative when it comes to encouraging their kids to step away from technology.
"'Let's walk the dog together' may be more enticing than 'go do your homework'," she says.
