I am going to give this a shot and try to engage my daughter in some interactive chess with me. She has been looking down recently, and nothing I do seems to make it go away. Thanks for sharing this information, will report back if it works!

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I am still not convinced that ‘modern’ technology replaces the
unique value of life experience. For one thing, and enron proved
this, when the power is shut off, just what do you do. There is a
fundamental gap when relying on t.v., computers, cell phones or
any myriad of what is mostly redundant and repackaged
technology for ‘instruments of learning’ that doesn’t make up for
what can’t be related in video games.

And in a related study, girls who watch paint dry with their parents are less depressed
than those who don’t.

Honestly, how is it that *Truthdig* of all places constantly falls for these industry shill-
studies?

After a great deal of initial hesitation, I bought my 12 year old daughter her first videogame, The “Legend Of Zelda, Ocarina of Time”. I had heard of kids isolating themselves in their rooms playing these games, so I decided to be with her while she played. I encouraged her to solve puzzles, defeat monsters, and figure out the storylines. She also loved to draw, so I would ask for commissioned art examples of the characters she saw on the screen. Her drawing ability became more and more adept with each ‘commission’ I requested.

During her teenage years she drew comic book stories for me with intricate panels, stories, and dialogue. They were all based on videogame characters, especially Lara Croft.

She also loved to read, and I encouraged her to do so. I made requests for characters from the books.

Her teenage years were not marred by tantrums, depression, or hiding emotions. She was not what I would call a ‘stepford child’. She was just a happy, creative kid.

In high school she learned about the Art Institute and wanted to attend after graduation.

She is 23 now and is in her second year as a storyboard artist for an animation studio in Burbank. She is well respected in her field, especially for her tender age.

Yes, doing *anything* with your child will foster communication. But so many kids love videogames, it would behoove parents to play with their children. It doesn’t mean actually playing the game, just watching and commenting is enough. Yes, it takes several hours a day, but it pays off in the end. It’s so easy to let a kid just play in his or her room alone, while the parents pursue their own lives. But the alternative is so much better in the long run.

Girls who’s parents raise them with videogames as their only valuable home activity (no books or interest in the arts) also tend to be total idiots…that’s another issue of course.