Imagine a friend speaking of their child, noting that he is a “book-nut!”. The kid just devours books. He sits there 5+ hours a day, reading. One after another, he just can’t get enough. Historically, few would question this, his parents and teachers would embrace this, and it would be considered a good thing.Now imagine that child being a video game nut spending 5+ hours doing that. Somehow, this is ridiculed, punished or seen as a negative?Let’s back up for a second – assume both kids get great grades, eat well and play sports. Their book reading or video game playing doesn’t interfere with those things.Assuming both the books and video games were age-appropriate, I suddenly think the video games would offer a richer developmental experience. With books, you simply sit and consume content. You might wonder and ponder along the way. With video games, you also do exactly that – except you are IN the story and even controlling it. There is decision making, hand-eye coordination tasks, risks and rewards.It could be argued that the subdued experience of reading a book keeps people (and kids) grounded, and thus works in more primal balance. It’s 100% black-and-white words, and from that, emotions are stirred more gently and learning through character experiences happens. Wonder is generated. With video games, it could be argued that the experience even exceeds what’s possible in real-life and could make reality less colorful and create an addiction to fictional places and people because the experience is so grand. Hmmm...In truth, video games are simply books on steroids. They are even beyond movies. For those who don’t know, some modern video games have award-winning scripts and movie-style writing with plots that rival (or even beat) the biggest movie blockbusters. Some games are even based on movies that started as books – but now, you are in the book and in control of what happens on the next page...We live in a digital world today. There will only be more screens ahead, not less, for better or worse. For years, astronauts and our military have trained on digital simulators, and likewise engaged and trained in skill-building drills on simpler digital devices (even iPads) aimed at creating increased memory retention, situational awareness, reaction time, and more. Daily, that's what video-game kids get a dose of.So...5 years from now, which kid will be better apt to face the world? The kid who spends 5 hours a day reading? Or the kid who spends 5 hours a day on video games?What's your take, and why? via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/3wGkXn7
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