| There is no doubt about it, using computer games | | | | need to maximize what they are doing. There are |
| is a great way to encourage children to expand | | | | several good games out there that can be used |
| their realm of thinking. Your options for | | | | to stimulate thinking in children. For many people, |
| entertaining your child may seem numbered. Many | | | | this is the perfect way to go to encourage |
| people allow their children to spend quite a bit of | | | | children to learn how to solve problems without |
| time in front of the television. But, what good | | | | letting them in on it! Yes, because games are fun, |
| does that do? If you want them to learn | | | | the child will not fight you on playing them. Much |
| something while they are zoned out, you are | | | | unlike a lesson plan, this way seems to encourage |
| completely lost. But, if you flip on the computer, | | | | children to come back to the game time and time |
| download a great game, you may actually be able | | | | again, therefore getting the experiences they |
| to encourage them to learn more and you will | | | | need to learn a thing or two. |
| encourage good thinking skills as well. | | | | But, what are these games? What are the |
| Thinking is not something that everyone can do | | | | options that are out there for your child? There |
| well. Now, we are referring here to the thought | | | | are many games, and although we will only talk |
| process that goes along with solving problems. For | | | | about a few here, find ones that will work well |
| many children, this is something they struggle | | | | with your child. What are his or her likes and |
| with. Mom or Dad always takes care of the | | | | dislikes? Sports? Television characters? Perhaps |
| problems. If something isn't right, just call mom or | | | | they enjoy space or under water adventures. |
| dad. Even on the television, that is full of real life | | | | Search out those games that will intrigue them as |
| and imaginary "problems" that need to be solved, | | | | well as encourage them to think. |
| there is no encouragement for children to come | | | | Some to consider include 'Big Thinkers |
| up with the solution. What happens then? They | | | | Kindergarten' and the series of Freddi Fish |
| just sit and watch and let someone else handle | | | | Adventures as well as many other games |
| the problem. | | | | specifically for children. These are mainly for |
| But, what happens when they are older or in a | | | | younger children, but you'll find many more for |
| situation where they have to solve the problem | | | | older children as well. In fact, consider giving your |
| at hand? Do they know how to analyze their | | | | older kids more puzzle related games to help |
| thoughts, ideas, and to find the right solution? | | | | them along this course as well. |
| Many don't. But, if you would like your child to be | | | | When you give your child the gift of being a |
| the one who does know how to flip the switch on | | | | problem solver, they will work through the |
| and solve the problem, consider allowing them to | | | | situations that happen to them, big and small, |
| sit in front of the computer as opposed to the | | | | without fear of not knowing how to handle them. |
| television. | | | | They will be more likely to do well in the real |
| Okay, so too much time in front of the computer | | | | world then. What's more is that you can feel good |
| isn't much better, but there are ways to you | | | | about all that time they spend in front of the tube |
| make what time you do allow them to sit at the | | | | (even though it's the computer not the television! |
| computer to be good times. This is you simply | | | | |