If you had a child today (and some of you have)

[Mara]

Would you teach them to play pc or video games? What games would you start them out on?

[Tom Servo]

If I had a kid today I'd have more important things to worry about than videogames :S

But anyway, yeah, I probably would.

[DanTheManPR]

I wouldn't let them watch TV or play video games till they were about five, but then I would let them.

As for the types of games, I would let them play any game that wasn't about shooting people, or any games with more mature themes until they got to be about fourteen. Then I could care less what they play, because they'll see it every day at movies and at friend's houses.

[Ravanor]

I wouldn't let them watch TV or play video games till they were about five, but then I would let them.

I agree. I find it pretty sick these parents who leave their babies to play a console.

[Kalbrecht]

I'd limit them quite heavily and gradually introduce more the older they got.

I'd emphasise the learning and interactivity of computers rather than games themselves - so more the cool interactive learning things by Disney etc.

However - I'd also put a lot of emphasis on learning games and team stuff outside of computers - like sports, chess, card games, building models, maybe even some CCG and wargaming etc. That kind of stuff teaches logical thinking as well as lateral thinking, problem solving, patience, teamwork and structural thought development.

[DanTheManPR]

I would emphasize strategy and puzzle games.

[Gotanypop]

My son is 2 and a half then only thing I have found that he enjoys computer-wise at that age is the Dora the Explorer Website games. The thing that will engage him for any length of time is his paint, markers and crayons. I put a sheet from one of those big easel pads on the table and away he goes. He also likes to take hold of my racing wheel in a driving game and crash the car. :):

Probably as he gets older he will be more interested in games, I will be very mindful of content the same way I try to stay away from the more violent or adult themes in cartoons now.

[Shardos]

well, right now I'd say yes I'd introduce them to comp/console games, and probably get them started on "kiddie" games (e.g. Crash Bandicoot)
buuut I can't say for sure since I don't have any kids, my opinion on lotsa stuff might change drastically

[weed_wizard]

Start em out on Manhunt I reckon!Maybe Grand Theft Auto as well!

[Impresario]

Actually games are perhaps the most effective instrument in the toolbox of educational technology. There is plenty of educational software for pre-school children that utilize game technology to foster learning. Also most of the major children’s sites like http://www.sesamestreet.com/sesamestreet/ incorporates games to get little minds working. My wife is an educational technology developer and games are an extremely important tool of her trade. Finding age appropriate beneficial games is a parent's responsibility - but to demonize games as inherently evil to the development of children's minds is incorrect. Even just on a tactile basis, games have been shown to improve hand eye coordination etc. I'm sure some of you saw the recent report regarding improvement in surgeons who play videogames.

[Gaim Mastr]

Yes, there will be a computer of some sort in the baby's crib, right from the get-go. Ultra basic, high-impact learning stuff. Start with the basics, such as the alphabet and numbers. Couple this with the basic "cow goes moooo" type of stuff.

As the child appears to be mastering those things, then it's on to fundamental subjects of math, science, history, etc. Unlike years past, there are apparently a plethora of quality educational games, which retain a child's attention through the genuine enjoyment of playing a game. Fun becomes primary and learning secondary, but they must solve the problems before they advance to higher levels in the game.

From there, it'd be wide open to all kinds of games. Though I'd scan the shelves for a quality RPG or Strategy game before an FPS. At least until the child's mental maturity allowed him/her to handle the high-tension competition of facing off against ol' dad in multiplayer FPS combat.

:gun3:



:D:

[Circlebreaker]

There is indeed an enormous amount of educational games for kids out there now, and I think it would be a serious gap in a kids education when you won't use those means to help your kid get educated. I know I would certainly get my kids those kinds of games, but always with some kind of supervising.

[Cloudw4lker]

READER RABBIT!

first thing that came to mind for kiddy games. If I had a child now I'd be several things. a) very surprized because I am male. b) very surprized because I am a virgin. c) probably teach him CS at a very young age so that he could grow up and pwn people for ncie cash to support his old aging father.(after the money from a male giving birth in the world records stopped paying off.)

[Emjayex]

I've a 4 year old son and he likes to play a lot of games. He's even managed to finish a race in 1st place on Project Gotham Racing 2 (XBox)

[Terry Penrod]

.

Actually, I would encourage them to play games on both the PC and consoles.

One that is very durable, just for fun and really good for playing with little friends in a social setting and the other to take advantage of a whole bunch of good learning games and to master the basics of the PC to use later on in school.

I'd probably also get them a GBA to play in the car, etc. But would try to encourage them to play real sports and be active outdoors. Too many games and too much TV is just not healthy for kids. And, of course I would screen the games carefully and play them with the kids sometimes - particularly the learning titles.

As far as online gaming and other web activities go, that would be heavily monitored and restricted.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Emjayex]

Playing games teaches children good hand / eye co-ordination. I think my lightning fast reactions are in part due to my playing Space Invaders, Asteroids and Pac Man in the 80's :yes:

[Eddie Ismail]

I agree with GAP and Gaim, I'd MAKE them play educational video games, and as they grow, i'd introduce a more diverse base of games, by the time they're 4 they should be playing puzzle games, and by 7 they should be playing sport games, by 10 they should be playing strategy games, at twelve I'll introduce FPS *if I can control any of that*, anf finally by 18 I'll send them out to the world to feed ;)