Finding Games For Kids Just Got Easier

Parents and teachers understand the value in games for kids to help them get a jumpstart on learning. Even early on, even before pre-school or kindergarten, games that teach math concepts (counting, money, addition, and subtraction), language (word recognition through pictures, phonics, word roots), problem solving and social interaction are valuable tools in not only teaching, but also in promoting the love of learning.


Choosing Appropriate Levels

One of the great frustrations is finding games that are age and difficulty-level appropriate. This can be particularly difficult when a child does not meet the average expectations of the game company's developers or marketing department. Children are sometimes especially exceptional in one skill area or not as good in others.

If a game is too difficult, it can cause disappointment or the "eyes glazed over" look. If too easy, kids can easily get bored and move on to something else. Some children like to play Backgammon, Checkers, and even Life with their siblings while their parents expected them to play Candy Land with their younger siblings.

To date, it has been very difficult to create games in which skill or difficulty level could be easily adjusted let alone adjust automatically in an adaptive fashion. With classic strategy games like chess, backgammon, or even Scrabble, level of difficulty depends on the player's opponent. Otherwise, it seems seemingly impossible to achieve any level of adaptively with traditional board and card games. Even the early electronic games consoles for children were limited in that the purchase of modules, books, or games for the console was required to increase difficulty.

The Turning Point in Technology

The technology to create adaptive games exists. The seeds for it began sprouting in the 1980s with the advent of machine learning algorithms. These mathematical algorithms gave computers the ability to "learn" - to make intelligent decisions in reaction to recognized complex patterns. In other words, the computer could learn how to avoid Fools Mate, checkmate in three moves in Chess, so as to not allow it to happen again.

It was a big to-do in geek circles. You can tell, because like every revolutionary technology, learning machines were made to appear evil in science fiction movies of the early 1980s. War Games and Terminator were both movies in which learning machines would bring the ultimate destruction of humankind.

Making the Change

While a complete transformation has not occurred, changes in educational games have. Providing your child with games for kids is not as difficult as it used to be. Now there are games available for the iPhone as well as traditional board games. You only need to do a simple search for what your child is interested in. You will find a plethora of educational games to match your child's interest.

by Marianne T. Carl
ezinearticles.com

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What's Wrong With Playing Video Games?

There was a time in my life when I didn't care for video games at all. I had to have the radio on whether I was cleaning or doing a jigsaw puzzle and if anyone (I called them the gamers) wanted to play a game in the living room, they had to do it with the sound off. I didn't even like to hear the sound of them. (Even now I prefer the volume on the low side) They would ask me why I thought there was something wrong with playing video games. I just couldn't understand how they could sit there and play for hours. How they must have loved when I was at work. I laugh at this now and they sure won't let me live it down.


One day I came home from work and "the gamers" were playing Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. I decided that I would try it and once I learned how to use the controller I was hooked. I went from that game to Gran Turismo two. One time I played for 16 hours straight. Time sure flies when you're having fun.

I tried playing some of the golf games and I enjoyed the ones that are easy. Golden Tee and Hot Shots are my favorites. I did enjoy playing Mario Golf on the Gamecube, although I only had the chance to play it a couple of times. (I am a Playstation person.) I find that most of the other golf games are too hard for me.

One boring evening I decided to go out and rent a video game. While I was in the store I came across The Legend of Dragoon. I hadn't tried playing a role playing game yet and so I decided to try it. I didn't like the fact that you had to fight so much so I fought as little as possible. I beat the game (barely) and played it again right away. I did fight more the second time around and beat the game again. It was so much fun that I have been hooked on rpg's since and I've learned that the more you fight the better.

When someone asks me why I like to play these types of games, I tell them to think of it as watching a movie or reading a book and being part of it. You play your part as best you can and slowly work your way to your objective.

Recently I discovered that a friend of mine has The Legend of Dragoon and so I borrowed it. I wanted to remember why I loved it so much. So, I am now in the process of playing it again. Memories of my very first role playing game, life is good. I must say that after playing on the PC, the ps1 sure is slow, lol. I am still having loads of fun with it though.

Ten years have passed since I played my first rpg. Since then I have played games such as: Wild Arms, Final Fantasy, Arc the Lad Twilight of the Spirits, Suikedon 1-4 (with the exception of number three), Radiata Stories, Shining Tears, Atelier Iris, etc... As you can see, I am addicted to rpg's. My favorite would be Final Fantasy XI Online. Now that's a fun game. Even the fighting is a ton of fun.

I also enjoy games like Burnout Revenge. I especially liked the road rage. You can drive fast and be as reckless as you want. It's great! As mentioned earlier, I do like to play golf on occasion.

I have tried Grand Theft Auto and the only reason that I don't play it, is I don't like to kill people. I tried to drive fast without hitting anyone it just doesn't work. I don't mind killing monsters and such, but not people. I did make some people laugh, though. I know it's just a game and it still bothers me.

I cannot comment on sports games for the simple fact that I haven't tried playing any. I have watched others play them, they just don't interest me. RPG's rule for me.

I do still listen to the radio just not as much as before and I don't play video games as much as I would like to. I get to play 10-20 hours a week and I enjoy every minute of it.

I see nothing wrong with playing games as long as your priorities come first. I think that children should be limited on their game play but, I would rather my child be at home playing a game where I know he/she is safe, than out running around somewhere.

I must say that role playing games can be very addicting. Just don't forget about your personal life and always make sure that your priorities are in order. Now, If an individual gets out of bed in the morning, goes straight for their game and 20 hours later they are still playing, and they do this the majority of the time, then there might be a problem.

If you have the day off and everything is done that you needed to get done, then I say, go ahead and play your game all night. There's nothing wrong with that. Happy Gaming!

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