How to have a healthier ‘GAMING’ zone at home
It begins with your approach
After close to a year of most children being out of their school environments and learning at home, devices have taken centre stage. It was inevitable. The question is how do you allow it but in a safe way.
Approach 01: Have you sat with your children and spent time watching the games they play? Asking them questions and exploring their perceptions and observing their new ‘online friendships’? This is the key to a healthy gaming home. All it takes is sitting with your children and observing and questioning. Experience it to understand it! Do you know that some games allow your children to speak freely to people all over the world. Where is your gaming space? Can you hear their interactions? Or are they in a room on their own? This is a simple question but a vital one too.
Approach 02: Have you been conscious of the emotional state your child is in after playing certain games? Observe this and make note of any changes that make you feel uneasy. You know your child best. Ask yourself “Does this game make me feel comfortable and is my child safe”? As a parent I stopped my daughter from playing a certain game just by observing her behaviour post game time. She was aggressive, teary and impatient with the beautifully simple things in life such as eating a delicious meal.
Approach 03: Have you created time limits? Do you balance gaming with other forms of play? Create a structured gaming time in your home. Sit down with you children and discuss this. Let them be a part of the decision making process. Use the gaming time to your own benefit. Perhaps introduce a house duty they need to do everyday? Perhaps introduce or increase reading before bed?
Approach 04: Have you explored alternative games your child can play? Have you suggested and introduced more appropriate options to them? Do some research, chat to other moms and then explore these options with your child.
Have a foot in your child’s gaming world! Don’t let it be a world you do not understand. If you experience it for yourself you and your child will feel more protected.