Virtual Ping Pong

Jay Brandley asked:


Many people seem to think that video games are bad for children to play. This is not an entirely true statement. There is a proper time and place for all activities. As with every other activity, video games and gaming, when played in balance, can be both fun and healthy for children.

However, many activities have both positive and negative contributing factors, and video games are no exception to the rule. Let us discuss some of those factors. If we can acquire or maintain a healthy and balanced view of video games, perhaps a compromise can be made from both child and parent concerning this subject.

Monitor The Type Of Video Game Being Played

Action video games may contain a good amount of violence that may not be suitable for children. However, not all video games contain violence. Some video games are actually quite educational and can be very healthy as it could quite possibly stimulate a good amount of mental activity in the brain of your child.

Monitoring and screening the video games that are being played by your children could help solve this dilemma. You may even want to sit down with your children and play the video games with them so that you can get more involved in what games your children are playing.

Set A Time Limit

If you are worried about your child playing too much video games, setting a time limit or an allotted time each day that he are she is allowed to play could help. As children do need limits and boundaries, this could assist you in getting your child to realize what healthy time amounts of gaming are. When he or she is allowed to play video games for only a certain amount of time, they will get used to to this schedule and will eventually come up with other things to do after.

Use Video Game Playing As A Reward

You can use time for video games as a reward for either good behavior, the completion of tasks and chores, or whatever you please. By using video games as a reward, you can teach your child, or children if you have more than one, the value of time and purchased objects. You will also be able to teach them that recreation or entertainment is a privilege that can be attained by hard work. You will, in effect, be preparing them for what is to come later on in life.

So, do not so easily cross off video games as a terrible method of entertainment for kids. Be balanced, and teach your child how to be balanced also.

Don Jacobson asked:


Close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment. Wait. Don’t close your eyes. (How else could you read this) Pretend that it’s Thanksgiving and all your family has gotten together. Your grandparents are there; your mom and dad, your sisters, their husbands and kids, your brother and his girlfriend, even your cousins and your favorite aunt and uncle have flown in from Cincinnati. Everyone is at your house, and all the preparations have come together. The house is beautiful, the turkey is in the oven, and you somehow managed to get the kids to clean up their rooms without shoving everything under their beds.

Dinner is a few hours away yet, and everyone is spreading out looking for things to do. Some opt for the Detroit game on TV; others head outdoors for their own version of the big game on the front lawn. But what about those who want to stay indoors and aren’t inclined to kick back and watch the game Set out a few board games, puzzles or simple crafts for those who might be interested in occupying their minds while distracting their stomachs. Another option might be showing off your new games table in the basement, garage, or spare room.

The great thing about games tables such as ping pong or air hockey tables is that almost anyone can play with one. As long as one can stand or sit and use the paddles to defend the goal, one can play. Age is not much of an obstacle. Anyone can participate. Get grandma and grandpa over to the table, and challenge them to a game with little 6-year-old Joey or Laney. Depending on the age of the grandparents, many kids this age are actually pretty equal physically when playing games such as air hockey. Not much skill is needed, just a bit of coordination.

Playing at a games table is a good way for a surly teen to be drawn into participating in the family activities. An uncle or aunt, grandparent or even one of mom or dad’s cousins could invite a teen to play a game. This can, in turn, draw the teen out a bit, making him or her more relaxed and thinking less of what else he or she would rather be doing.

Yes, it’s true, even the toughest of nuts to crack can be gotten out of their shell by getting involved in a friendly game of air hockey, table tennis, billiards or maybe foosball. This is also a great way to introduce new people to the family group. Your sister’s new boyfriend may be able to get to know your kids by playing with them at the games table. Your dad or mom might enjoy challenging this newcomer to a friendly game of air hockey; the movement of the game can help everyone relax a bit and learn more about each other.

Playing games together is a great way for members of every generation to spend time together and to get to know each other even better.

Gregory Hepburn asked:


The Nintendo Wii is a great games console. It is radically different from other game consoles available on the market. The games included with the Wii are excellent and introduce you to the Wii controller in a very appropriate manner. They all have the usual Nintendo feel and stamp of family fun. The Wii remote and the Nunchuck controller feel a little different at first, but they are very intuitive to use because using body movements to play games is far easier than just pressing keys.

Wii setup is pretty easy and enables you to start playing games fairly quickly. Playing games on the Wii is smooth and very absorbing. Even though Wii graphics do not have the best resolution, they are more than adequate for games. What is truly innovative is the design of the games controller, and the way Nintendo have integrated it into the manner in which you have to play the games. If you like to play games with friends and family, you will have to get a second controller to get into the spirit of things; you will not regret it.

The Wii wireless setup is also very easy. After connecting the Wii, you can immediately check sports, weather, and news over Nintendo’s free online service. The Wii uses a standard SD card for memory. You can get a Wii high capacity memory card for a fairly reasonable price.

The battery life in the Wii leaves something to be desired. The Wii drains AA batteries fairly quickly. The Wii remote sometimes looses it’s connection with the console when the batteries are low on power. The Wii wrist strap may not be very durable, but Nintendo are very prompt in dealing with any warranty claims you may have.

The quality of the materials and workmanship on the Wii is excellent. The Wii remote is sturdy enough to withstand being dropped by kids. The Nintendo Wii usually sells out very quickly, so get it as soon as it is available at your local store.