# Encourage Good Use of Video Games at Home

> Playing is a natural and spontaneous act that helps us explore, investigate and get to know the world we live in. In recent years, with new...

- **Author:** mireia-navarro-vera · **Category:** Adultos
- **Published:** 2018-10-11 · **Updated:** 2018-10-11
- **URL:** https://elteuespai.com/en/encourage-good-use-of-video-games-at-home/
- _Translation pending clinical review._

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**Playing is a natural and spontaneous act that helps us explore, investigate and get to know the world we live in.** In recent years, with new technologies, a new way of playing has appeared.

**Video games,** used correctly, **are a good tool for free time** since there are several video games that:

- **Stimulate and encourage physical activity**
- **Convey values**
- **Develop skills, boost self-esteem, and help express feelings and emotions**
- **Allow sharing games with other people**


## Types of video games


- **Action:** stimulates attention, temporal and spatial organization
- **Adventure:** enhances observation, creativity, memory and imagination
- **Sports:** stimulates precision and spatial-temporal organization
- **Strategy:** fosters strategic reasoning ability, flexibility and concentration
- **Simulation:** stimulates logical reasoning, concentration and reflection


## Tips for choosing video games intended for children


- Choose video games that **convey positive values** and avoid those that convey violence
- It is important to **know our children's tastes and interests so we can help them choose games and also encourage dialogue with them**
- **Choose games appropriate for their age**
- **Choose video games and their content through labeling and on specialized websites**


## What is the best place to play?

![children playing consoles](/images/blog/2018/10/mejor-sitio.webp)

**Important to choose a suitable place for playing:**

- Setting up the computer in a **common area of the house** encourages shared play, while also allowing us to learn about their tastes and take an interest in the activities they do,
- Try **not to use video games during times of togetherness**: parties, trips...since these are moments of social connection
- Take an interest in the places where our children go to play with their friends.


## When is it best to play?


- It is important not to spend hours and hours playing, which is why we must **make them aware of the time they spend playing.**
- **Agree on a limited play time**, a long play time means not exploring other leisure options
- Keep in mind the **necessary hours of rest**
- **It is often necessary to establish rules and time limits, and thus avoid the sedentary lifestyle it entails**


## Guidance:


- **Take an interest in what they do and browse together** so we can resolve their doubts and foster togetherness.
- Know where our children browse and make sure they understand the importance of **not giving out any personal data.**
- **Help children choose appropriate games.**
- **Watch out when playing becomes obsessive,** and therefore, **set a time limit for playing.**
- **Get informed about access filters for certain content.**
- **Alternate play time with other social activities.**

As adults, we must set guidelines and limits but try not to forbid, since forbidding does not foster dialogue and communication among family members, but is rather an imposed action; let us foster agreements and dialogue.

**Participate actively in what our children do, always with respect and dialogue.**