Playing computer games

[chocoguy]

In some daycare that I have seen before the children are allowed to play with some playstation and other computer games. Do you think that this is fair both for the parents and the child?

[lty83]

Hey Chocoguy,

Welcome to the OwnADaycare.com forums! I think its really up to the provider and the parents as to whether or not their children can play with a playstation or computer games.

There are some pretty bad video games out there and I would hope that providers wouldn't even have these types of games available - however there are many great educational games available out there which could be both entertaining as well as educational!

[atula]

I think a general discretion is required as to what kind of games the children are playing with...we cannot just say it is all wrong there are plenty of games that are interactive learning tools and can actually help children learn so much in fun way...
so yes supervision to the kind of games is required from both the day care people and the parents end.

[Theresa]

I let my older kids play games that their parents approve of. But only for short periods of time and if there is no fighting over turns. I set a timer for 15 minutes and when it goes off your turn is over. After about an hour its is turned off. Works great especially during younger kids nap time or while I am cooking lunch.

[chocoguy]

I guess that it depend son the games itself, some games are just child friendly while others are too violent.

[atula]

Originally Posted by chocoguy

I guess that it depend son the games itself, some games are just child friendly while others are too violent.

you are right chocoguy...actually initially itself when the daycare owner is selecting the game, they should consider the kind of games whether those are ok for children of all ages, if they have any violent content or not...etc.

[SageMother]

Video games should be played at home, but not in daycare. I refuse to be responsible for a child sitting around with a joystick all day long.

[chocoguy]

Originally Posted by SageMother

Video games should be played at home, but not in daycare. I refuse to be responsible for a child sitting around with a joystick all day long.

Letting the child play some computer games is a good way to let the child enjoy his time at the daycare and at the same time free some of your time. I have seen it done by some daycares at the mall.

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by chocoguy

Letting the child play some computer games is a good way to let the child enjoy his time at the daycare and at the same time free some of your time. I have seen it done by some daycares at the mall.

With the number of parents who want to exercise control over little features like this, I really don't want them trying to extend that control into my daycare setting, so I don't allow video or computer games.

[chocoguy]

As long as you showed them how child friendly the games are then I’m sure that they would not take control. I assume that they would only want to take control of the games if it is violent.