Benefits of Playing Video Games

* Learning. Studies have shown that children who play video games frequently can develop a bit of a reading problem-solving skills. This applies especially to those kids who often struggle in reading and especially when playing adventure or simulation games. Kids who enjoy playing the next level, puzzle or simulation game tend to have better vision than those who do not.

* Memory. Many experts believe that playing computer games require a certain amount of thinking ahead. The more you think ahead when playing, the better your short-term memory, your ability to remember what you've already done and what you'll need to do the next time you run into a particular problem. Kids who enjoy playing next-level games tend to have better short-term memory than those who don't.

* Developing strategic skills. Playing next level games requires a person to think creatively. Some gamers will come up with new strategies after playing a previous level a couple of times. Some will simply try to figure out what the next level is going to be like through pure luck. But more often than not, these same gamers will come up with a new strategy after trying to solve a particular problem in the game.

* Developing winning mindset. Playing video games requires players to develop the ability to not only think creatively, but also to be mentally focused and prepared for the next challenge. This can improve their ability to solve problems and even get over tough losses. In essence, this can help kids in their real life by helping them to become better problem-solvers and happier people.

* Enhancing thinking skills. Another study published in Journal of the American Medical Association showed that playing video games changed the activity of certain brain cells. This study showed that the brain cells of children who frequently play such games tend to be more flexible than the brains of non-gamers.

Now that you know these are some of the benefits of playing video games, why not take this opportunity to give your kids the benefit of the doubt? Give them something to do that they love. Help them practice problem solving skills and stimulate their minds in other ways that allow them to use their imaginations. The result may surprise you. Not only will you have a happier and healthier kid, but you may end up with a more creative, open and intelligent adult.

So what are you waiting for? Kids need as much stimulation as possible in order to grow healthy and well balanced. So why not give them what they need by giving them a chance to play video games? Not only will it keep them occupied, but you'll be doing your part as a parent to give them a head start when it comes to growing up. Give them the benefit of the doubt and watch them develop into better adults because you gave it to them.

If playing video games is not appealing to you, then there are other things that you can try. You can read books to your kids or sign up for classes that teach your kids how to read. This will allow you to spend less time playing video games and more time interacting with your kid. Also, you can ask your kids to help you do chores or laundry so that you both have something to do together that you both enjoy.

Finally, if all else fails, consider talking to a child psychologist or learning about ADHD in order to find out about the potential bad effects. The bad effects can really put a damper on your fun. Just imagine the terrible effect of your child becoming obsessed with racing cars or playing superheroes. While you may think this is funny, you could be teaching them to have a hard time focusing or be distracted in class. These things can't be good for them either so it's important that you take any concerns seriously.

If you don't like video game play, then you can still use them as a tool for improving your child's studying skills. A great way to do this is to show them where they would do well in Math or Science. Now, this isn't the only way that you can teach them the importance of learning spatial awareness and being able to visualize things. However, it is a great way to start. Also, these studies were done in the United States so you can be sure that they are based on true life experiences.