Raising Smarter Children

Who knew that playing video games could be a good thing for your child and even more astounding, for laparoscopic surgeons?

According to The American Psychological Foundation, certain video games improved dexterity and problem solving ability.

A while back, I wrote an article on how some types of video games gave kids skills they need in life – motivation, ability to keep going when things get rough, and forethought.  A study at Fordham University in New York, showed that playing video games improved cognitive and perceptual skills in 5th, 6th, and 7th graders.

At several other universities, continuing studies show that video games improve the scientific thought process. However, violent video games fostered violence among students, while social video games made the students more helpful to others. 

Ongoing research definitely shows that playing video games all the time makes kids obese and reduces their school performance. 

One of the most surprising results of the research is that laparoscopic surgeons improved dexterity by playing video games.  According to psychologist Douglas Gentile, Ph.D., of Iowa State, doctors who played video games were able to “perform surgery 27 percent faster and made 37 percent fewer errors.  He also said video games were good predictors of suturing capabilities.

The bottom line is what most parents already know.  Video games are like anything else.  Good value games, played in balance with other life activities can enhance education and important life skills. 

Gentile says, “This means that games are not good or bad, but are powerful educational tools and have many effects we might not have expected they could.”

The tip for today is attention – look closely at the type of video games your child plays, limit the time, and know that there may be some inherent value for your child who wants to play a video game.  You never know, s/he may turn out to be that laparoscopic surgeon.

As it’s gettng close to back to school, here’s another “tech smart” tip your child can use on the computer. 

There’s a free, one hour online CD, for you and your child, if you’re serious about making this the best school year ever.  It’s the first of 8 CD’s in the How To Win The School Game System, showing your child how to get A’s and B’s with “how to learn” strategies.

Visit our website at http://www.howtolearn.com/coachingstudents2.html for more on how to get higher grades in 14 days.

Remember, every child is smart,

Pat Wyman and Erin Mavredaks, M.D.

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