Learning To Be A Kid
Recently, Jonathan has taken an interest in video games. At first he just started watching his sister play Nintendo Wii. He became fascinated with the Super Mario brothers characters. He didn’t always say much when he watched his sister play. As time when on he began to offer suggestions to his sister about what she should do next in the game. Almost like a back seat video game player. He would go around the house bugging her to play Nintendo so he could watch her play.
After while his sister gave Jonathan her DS to play. He could’nt really get the concept but he loved the sounds that Mario made in the game. Then one day he understood it. The switch in his head flipped and he made the connection. I was surprised because Jonathan had always been so frustrated with video games because of his hand eye coordination. It wasn’t long before Jonathan was buying one of his own with his birthday money. Now every day he comes home from school runs up stairs and gets out his Nintendo DS. For the first while he was only able to play super Mario brothers but now he’s been able to grasp the concept of several other games.
I’ve found that even though Jonathan would have trouble with a level in the game he would work through it untill he solved the problem. Something he never would have done before. Normally when faced with a problem he would become easily frustrated and angry.
Most parents complain that their kids spend to much time playing video and I’m out happily buying Mario kart and Kirby superstar ultra to see how he’ll do. With Jonathan’s new found love in video games he spends much less time involving himself in stimulating behaviors such as pacing. He is also calmer and seems to have a greater ability to focus.
We asked Jonathan how he felt about learning how to ride a bike the summer. He said he might try. For now though I’m pretty happy listening to the sounds of video games coming from his room.
Popularity: -0% [?]
