video games

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
video games
4
Thu, 08-11-2005 - 2:15pm

Nathan has started getting interested in playstation. We have the original one, and then last year dh bought PS2. Tyler always plays PS2 now, he's been interested in the Star Wars games. Nathan usually just watches, but yesterday he started walking around with the Winnie the Pooh game. He kept asking to have the playstation (original) set up for him. So when dh got home, I had him set it up for Nathan on a different TV. He's been playing this morning, only needing a little help. Still gets frustrated and anxious, but doing well. He has 3 different games he knows how to play......and he played ALL OF THEM. He can't stick to one thing, always changing his mind, jumping from this to that. He's the same way with his toys too.

I'm glad that he's getting interested though. Playing games calms him down. Helps him focus, and work on eye/hand coordination. Also helps him with some problem solving too. It helps him with his confidence too, being able to do something by himself.....makes him feel like a "big boy"!!!!

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-24-2004
Thu, 08-11-2005 - 7:47pm

Michelle,

I can totally identify with the videogame thing. Cassian doesn't have the sequencing or the rapid eye-hand coordination to do these yet. I sit next to him and help out with some education software and websites that he likes, and recently we found a puzzle site that is giving him good practice with jigsaws. He has difficulty fitting jigsaw puzzles together, but computer jigsaws are not as motorically challenging for him.

Maybe, I'll feel differently about the computer games if he becomes really stimmy on them later, but for now, they seem to be helping him develop certain skills.

Suzi

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Fri, 08-12-2005 - 12:47pm

Suzi,

I feel the same way. Nathan hasn't gotten stimmy, addicted, or anything like that. With his personality....he switches what he's doing, constantly. Can't seem to stay with one thing for very long, but he always finishes/completes what he's doing. The nice thing though, is that when he's done....he's done. And he's learning to put his things away when he's finished. And we don't get much arguing from him, when we tell him it's time to stop playing (whatever he's doing at the time!)....he stops. Of course, now that his speech is better, and he LISTENS TO HIS BIG BROTHER.....he now says, "but why???"

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 08-13-2005 - 11:01am

I wish video games were so positive in our house. Trevor is completely addicted to video games. He doesn't play anymore than other kids his age because I limit them, But it definately becomes an obsession for him. It's an area that once he gets into it he has difficulty stopping and transitioning to a new activity. He's usually a bear to be around afterward.

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 08-13-2005 - 4:26pm

Yeah, we are the same way with the obsession.

Electronics have thier good and bad points. On the good side is work with fine motor and eye hand coordination. Also, it really is a great reinforcer/motivator. And there are times when he is really stressed that playing a video game helps to calm Mike down. Also, it really motivates new readers to learn to read since much of the directions are written (many auditory too, but with visuals).

BUT if he has too much or it is a new game/strong obsession, he can get really ugly over video games. So we have to structure and limit it like Amanda. He literally will sit infront of it all day in his pajamas and not eat or do anything else if allowed. He may get up to go to the bathroom if it is an emergency.

We got a couple new games yesterday and Mike had a rough couple days so I am letting him have more than usual and keeping demands low, but it is a fine line. I have to be vigilant of his mood and behavior when playing. make him take regular breaks. Make sure he eats. Occasionally give him other demands like help with laundry and regular routine stuff. PLUS make sure he shares.

Renee

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