Video Games
“Can I use my iPad?” “Can I play video games?” As a mom, I’m sure you hear these two questions every day and sometimes multiple times a day. Everyone has an image that pops into their head when they hear the word video games. For me, it’s snuggled up on the couch, playing Nintendo Switch with my family.
As a 90s kid, one of my favorite childhood memories is playing Mario Party and Mario Kart with my friends. As a mom, playing video games with my daughters, sharing that joy, and making memories are priceless. Honestly, the best part is beating them in the game and hearing them say, “Mom, you are so good!” I’m not going to lie; I haven’t been able to beat my daughter Aria in Just Dance. She is outstanding.
Bonding
Playing Nintendo Switch has been a tool for me to bond and spend quality time with my kids. We have so much fun, and we laugh so much. I love playing Mario Party with my kids. Some of my family’s other favorite games are Just Dance, Mario Kart, and Animal Crossings. Instead of waiting for them to ask me to do something with them, I initiate and set up game nights.
When I was writing this post, I researched playing video games and bonding with your kids and came across this article from Arizona State University.
“Parents miss a huge opportunity when they walk away from playing video games with their kids.” Elisabeth Hayes (Gee), Delbert & Jewell Lewis Chair in Reading & Literacy and professor in ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, explains that “often parents don’t understand that many video games are meant to be shared and can teach young people about science, literacy and problem solving. Gaming with their children also offers parents countless ways to insert their own ‘teaching moment.'”
Leave your favorite video games in the comments!
Best,
Jess
Jessica… as a pretty screen-free parent I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this topic when I saw the title. But you know what??? I’m intrigued! You definitely made me see video games in a different light. Thanks for sharing!
David and the girls have been really into Lego Harry Potter on the switch! There is so much problem solving in it and it really gets the girls thinking and working together!
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