Scientists are finally validating what many of us have known for a long, long time. Gaming is not inherently bad for you. The kicker? Some of the genres most reviled by anti-gaming activists may actually improve parts of the brain in a myriad of important ways.
I made it 6 long years without buying Minecraft. But, when Connor told me he needed to play it, I had to re-evaluate why I’d held out for so long.
Board Gaming With Kids is a new series in which Connor and Brandon play… board games! As we try out new favorites and old staples, we’ll reflect openly on our experiences. In this installment, we hit the high seas with Catan Junior, a strategy and resource management masterpiece from the minds behind Settlers of Catan. All hands on deck!
A recent study, published in the journal Nature, reveals new information on how video games can affect the brain. Lead by Gregory West, the study used different game genres to examine the impact of gaming on a subject’s hippocampus.
In Part 1 of Hyrule Adventures, Connor and I set out to learn the rules of this vast open land. In this second installment, we find ourselves lost and alone in the beautiful wild. Having sailed over mountains and marsh, our trusty paraglider cutting a sleek path through the morning sky, we began exploring the open plains and pristine beaches of southeast Hyrule.
Let’s face it. Video games are no longer just a hobby. When screened by parents and played in moderation, video games can help your child in a number of unexpected ways.
Zelda games have always carried an unmistakable weight. I vividly remember how I felt playing Ocarina of Time, when Link, in a nod to Arthurian legend, pulled the Master Sword free from its stone prison. Now, for the first time, I introduce my 6-year-old son to the magic of Hyrule as we both play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
For kids, especially young ones, the sandbox is a kingdom of experimentation and control. It’s a safe space to try out any idea, free from judgement and curriculum. It embodies learning through trial and error and gives them full control over the shape of their world. This freedom is an incredibly important ingredient in the creative recipe and translating it to other play spaces may be easier than you realize.
