A recent study has peaked my SuperMum interest here – definitely the very definition of modern day parenting in the era of social networking. The study reports that parents who sit and play videogames with their children are better placed to develop lasting bonds with their kids. Gaming firm PopCap and Goldsmiths University found that 4 out of 5 parents (of a polled 3000) consider time spent playing computer games with their children ‘quality time’. 1000 out of the total polled said that they do so every day, with children as young as two years old. In an age where it appears that social relationships are enhanced by social networking games this appears a logical conclusion to draw. ‘Game playing’ whether virtual or otherwise equates to investing and spending time together – whether you’re tackling real-world lego bricks, or virtual space pirates (or whatever it might be!). The parents and grand-parents are taking the effort to get ‘down with the kids’ and interact with them on a level, and in an arena, that the children are comfortable and confident operating within. Awesome! Whether the long-lasting bonds are born out of the social network / videogame aspect, or just the mere fact that they are obviously parents and carers willing to adapt and be flexible around the child they’re trying to develop bonds with is a matter for discussion. If gaming isn’t for you, here’s a brief run-down of some other ways to embrace new technologies to interact with your kiddiwinks:
- iKidApps – a techie mum’s perspective on what’s hot, fun, educational, and best of all, kid-proof in the world of apps.
- BestKidsApps – an alternative, easy-to-use run-down of the best free and paid for applications, broken down by age group, games, books & stories, creative and learning.
- KidSites – self confessed ‘best guide’ of the best sites for kids on the web. Broken down by Educational, Fun Stff and Grownups.
Now, if only someone could devise a way to ‘virtually’ get your baby to sleep through the night… Hmmm.
