Video Game that's good for you kids.. Really !!!

Video Game that's Good for your Kids... Really!!!

Video games can be good for your kids and this series is especially true. The Reader Rabbit series is a favorite in our home. The kids love it !! And I love it because it really helps them learn. My boys learn a lot of their reading and math skills from this game. It is just so much fun.

What they really like is the way the game is put into a story. They have to help Reader Rabbit and Sam the Lion through their adventure, by spelling, adding, telling shapes, making pattern, etc. So they're playing game and learning at the same time.

And there are different levels too. They have games for kids preschool up to age 9.

Check out our shopping page for more

Reader Rabbit Learn to Read with Phonics (PreK-KG)

Reader Rabbit Learn to Read with Phonics (Grades 1-2)

Reader Rabbit Personalized Reading (ages 4-6)

Reader Rabbit Personalized Reading (ages 6-9)

Reader Rabbit Personalized Grade 1

Reader Rabbit Personalized Grade 2

Electronic Games have no negative effect on children, but watching TV does ?

A new study in the UK, involving about 11,000 children, has concluded that playing electronic games was not associated with increased risk of problems in children. However, they did find that watching TV for 3 hours or more daily predicted increasing conduct problems in children. (Read the full report here.)

The study looked at the children when they were 5 years old and again when they were 7 years old. So we don't really know how TV and video games would affect them later in life. The authors also mentioned that there were probably more parental restrictions on the age-appropriateness of the video games, compared to TV.

So in spite of the result of this study, I would caution parents to still exert their control in how long their children can watch TV or play video games. And more importantly, what their playing and/or watching. 

Watch and play with your children. Talk to them about what they're watching and playing. Get involved in their life. TV and games are just accessories of life. Use them but don't let them 'parent' your children. Let your children have fun with TV and games but take control. 

2 Hour Children's Screen Time.. Realistic or not ?...

2 Hour Children's Screen Time... Realistic or not ?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has just released a new recommendation for parents to limit children entertainment screen time to less than one or two hours a day. While some parents say that is unrealistic, I say it's very realistic. Children spend most of their time at school. Once they get home, they do their homework, and they should PLAY. Either play with their siblings, or do extracurricular activities, or simply play with their toys. One or two hours screen time a day is plenty.

My boys play games on the internet for 30 minutes each, 3 days a week (including weekends). They can watch DVD after they're done with their homework, so on average they watch about 3 movies a week (including weekends). The older children have more homework so they tend to have less screen time. So yes, it is realistic. You just have to work on it.

What happens is once you introduced a child to screen (be it TV or internet), he/she will be asking for more. Parents have to resist that temptation to allow their children a lot of screen time (especially if they're young). I believe that children will loose their creativity to play if they watch too much. That's what happened to mine, at least. They watch a lot of TV or internet, and then you ask them to stop and do something else and they say "But I'm bored, I don't know what to do." But if you stick to it, they'll find their creativity again and will start playing. Children can play all day if you let them. Once they're 'addicted' to screen, they'll forget about playing. Parents have to limit screen time and children will find that creativity again. 

In this day and age children are exposed to technology at a very young age. They grow up watching parents take pictures on their phones, reading e-books, searching on the internet, playing on the iPad, texting on the phone. So yes, kids will be using them too. But parents need to limit that. There's already so much discussion about the effect of too much screen time. Obesity and violence to name a few.

The point is, limit the time you allow kids to watch alone. And please, always be mindful what they're watching. That's why it's easier to allow them to watch DVD because you can see the ratings and probably even watch with them and discuss it with them. The internet is a lot harder to control, so yes, more restrictions here please. And letting children have their own cellphone ? I say wait till later.

Resources : 

Managing Media: We Need a Plan
One hour of daily media for kids 8-10 unrealistic, say parents

Video Games for Kids... Good or Bad ?

I remember on one of our vacations with their aunts, uncles and cousins, we were at the beach house when the kids just refused to go outside and play. They insisted on staying inside, playing video games and watching TV. The adults finally decided to just drag them off the 'technology' and enjoy the beach instead.

So are video games good or bad for kids ? Like everything else, I believe they're both good and bad. However, I would caution parents to really watch what their children are playing because a lot of seemingly innocent video games are actually violent (I think, anyway). I would say that these types of video games are definitely bad. Education games are, as their names implied, educational and they do teach children a lot of things like reading and math.

For me, video games are good if you really pick your games and watch how long you spend time playing it. I would definitely avoid games containing violence, and I limit the time the kids can play the games. 

Additional resources :

(these happen to be the good review on video games and kids. However, read carefully and you'll see that the games they refer to are specific, non-violent games).

Are video games good for you? Can button bashing prepare children for adult life?

Video games may encourage healthy behavior

Video games helping kids who suffer from chronic pain

Sonic Rivals 2 for PSP

Available at our shopping site for $11.75

The gloves are off and Sonic and his rivals are gearing up for an intense new head-to-head competition exclusively on the PSP(PlayStation Portable) system. This sequel to Sonic’s 2D action platformer features all-new "jostling" controls for tighter competition and a brand-new Battle mode that allows two players to jump into six different Multiplayer challenges by sharing one disc.

With three new characters, 12 new stages, and upgraded signature moves for each character, the enhanced Rivals experience will bring a whole new level of handheld fun to the PSP system.

Features:

• Battle Mode: players will select from six ways to thrash their rival buddies: Knockout, Ring Battle, Race, King of the Hill, Capture the Chao, and Tag.
   
• Single Disc Game Sharing: two players will easily access the Multiplayer challenge with just a single disc using the wireless function.
   
• Intriguing New Storyline: the Chao seem to be disappearing and all eight rivals must work fast to find out who is behind it.
   
• Three New Playable Characters: Miles "Tails" Prower and two other new characters round out the cast of eight rivals.
   
• Free Play Mode: free from rivalry, the player can experience the challenging old-school Sonic-style map at their own pace!
   
• Expanded Card Collection: players can now collect 150 new cards for loads of new options to customize their playable characters.

Specifications:

• Format:  Sony Playstation Portable
• Players: 1-2 Players
• Memory: 256K minimum
• Wireless Compatible: 2 players

Megaman - Maverick Hunter X for PSP

Available at our shopping site for $12.99

A remake of the 1997 Super Nintendo game. Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X builds upon the Mega Man engine, with newly rendered 3D models and visually enhanced environments. In addition, players can expect a new soundtrack and new sound effects as well. Maverick Hunter X also sports new cutscenes that will precede every boss battle, and an all-new, unlockable movie that details the Mega Man X universe. As with previous Mega Man titles, a stage select system lets players tackle levels in any order and replay them limitless times.

By defeating bosses, X acquires weapons which can be used to unlock new paths through other stages. Armor parts are also hidden throughout the game and provide players with abilities that can be used to access additional areas and items. With combinations of jumps, dodges, wall jumps and a high speed dash ability, the action reaches the frantic heights which the X series has become known for.

Features:

• New graphics – all characters are newly rendered as 3D models amidst vividly updated environments
• Retooled game play features add to the virtual make over for the game
• Entirely rearranged background music and sound effects
• Complete voice acting for all cut scenes provides an immersive gameplay experience
• All new cut scenes precede boss battles
• Modified level arrangements – item locations, map layout and strategies for completing levels have been updated, offering a new challenge for even veteran gamers
• Upon beating the main game, a whole new story is unlocked where players take on the role of X's arch rival, Vile
• Play style focuses more on offensive combat action, with an emphasis on technical maneuvers and advanced moves for a hard hitting, intense experience
• Special animated movie offers deep perspective into the Mega Man X world
• Movie unlocks after completion of main story mode
• Get a peek at events that unfolded before the plotline of the first Mega Man X game
• Gain valuable insight into the motives of enemies and allies, even learning Sigma's reasons for starting his rebellion movement

Specifications:

• Format:  Sony Playstation Portable
• Players: 1 Player
• Memory: 512k minimum

NBA 2K11 for PSP

Available at our shopping site for $9.99

NBA 2K11 is the latest installment in the best selling, and highest rated NBA videogame series. NBA 2K11 is the best way to plug into NBA culture. It's the most fun, authentic NBA videogame experience and is for any sports fan with that competitive fire who wants to play the best NBA simulation on the market. It's the NBA series that everyone is playing - from the most elite NBA athletes and superstars to the local court gym rats. NBA 2K10 delivered on its promise to TAKE OVER, and NBA 2K11 will build on that momentum by dialing up all of its features - gameplay, AI, presentation, visuals, audio, online and more - to deliver the best basketball videogame experience EVER. When you're the #1 selling NBA videogame two years in a row, the #1 rated NBA videogame 10 years in a row, and have collaborated with back-to-back NBA champions, Kevin Garnett (2K9) and Kobe Bryant (2K10) - what is NBA 2K11 to do for the next act? Simple: Michael Jordan. The greatest basketball player of all time debuts for the first time in this hardware generation and brings his passion for the game to NBA 2K11 with an all new Jordan Challenge mode, historic Bulls teams, and even a MJ: Creating a Legend mode offering gamers the chance to be a rookie Michael and craft a new career for him. This is on top of improvements to core gameplay elements - including an all-new IsoMotion dribbling controls, deeper My Player mode with new My Career feature, all-new breathtaking visuals, and much more. This year BECOME THE GREATEST with NBA 2K11. Features: Relive 10 different legendary games from Michael Jordan's career and replicate in NBA 2K11 what MJ did on the court. Successfully reenact all 10 game scenarios to unlock the MJ: Creating a Legend mode.   Delivering the most realistic feeling and reacting dribbling system to date with seamless transitions between ankle breaking moves allowing users to translate thought to motion and dominate like Michael Jordan from the perimeter to the paint.   Take your offensive game to the next level with an unprecedented amount of control via the enhanced Shot Stick. Dozens of new shot types, from layups to jumpshots to dunks and everything in between, are under the user's control with the flick of a stick.   The Greatest soundtrack to date featuring an eclectic mix of upcoming breakout bands and highly acclaimed hip-hop artists such as Big Boi, Drake, and even an original, exclusive track from 12 time Grammy nominee, Snoop Dogg.   Complete the Jordan Challenge to unlock this special mode where you get to take control of a newly drafted rookie Michael Jordan and craft your own version of Michael's career in the NBA. Specifications: Platform: Playstation Portable Players: 1 Memory Size:  992 KB Ad Hoc Players:  1-2