Kids Computer Games

With computers now in most households, using kids computer games as an educational tool is both smart and convenient. Sometimes getting students interested in history, math, or science can be frustrating for some parents. If Little Johnny struggles with math and gets bored, there are online activities out there that will engage his interest. He might really grasp a concept that uses frogs on lily pads or tigers in the jungle to teach math through an interactive. Fortunately, whether a child struggles in math or Spanish or just wants to practice grammar at home, there are many options out there to choose from. Parents can use the Internet in the search for either free games or the purchase of software packages. The key is to choose educational computer games that will benefit the child to help them not only learn but find lifelong enjoyment in learning.

Free kids computer games can be found all over the Internet. This can be great for families who have limited money to buy software but already have a computer and Internet access. The other benefit to using the free games is that the child can always move on to another interactive when they get bored. For purchased software, there is a limit to the number of lessons and activities, so the student will eventually use the whole CD set. Unless the parent can resell the software or save it for the next child, it soon just adds to the clutter in the home office. Free online educational activities are also constantly changing and improving. Purchased software remains the same until the customer buys an updated version.

One thing that parents should avoid is laying the responsibility of finding free educational computer games on the child. Without certain filters or security features, a child on the Internet becomes as vulnerable as if she were alone on a city street at night. Even the best search engines could lead a child to a website that promotes pornography, violence, or other content not meant for children. In addition, children under ten or eleven really can't judge whether a game is truly educational or not. They need the leading of a responsible parent. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) Mom or dad can certainly involve the child in choosing a game, but it's the parent's job to make sure the child makes the right selection.

Some families don't have computers or Internet access, but kids computer games aren't inaccessible to them. Many companies understand that a home computer might not be affordable, so they develop mini-computers with specially designed software. These devices range in price from $20 to over $80 which is still much less than a home computer. Parents who are interested in these devices will want to use a search engine and type in "learning laptop." Many local stores will also carry these items in the toy department. Customers must be sure to look at the prices of cartridges and books, though. It's best to choose a device that doesn't require extremely expensive games. Count on buying four to six games per year. The good news is that these additional items grow with the child and can be purchased at his level.

Narrowing down the search for the right educational computer games is unique for every situation. A mom with a preschooler may want to search for preschool software. Knowing the child's interest in a certain cartoon or TV character may narrow down the search even more. The child might be more prone to play the games if it means she gets to see Elmo or Dora. A father with a seventh grader who has trouble in science will want to search for software that covers seventh grade science concepts. Other parents may want software that covers the whole gamut. There is software out there that includes games for all subjects at several levels. The price ranges can vary based on popularity of the product, how many games and lessons it includes, and even how many grade levels it includes. Although much of the software can be purchased in local stores, it is often cheaper to shop online. Many search engines offer a shopping site that will compare prices across the web on one product. This is a great way to find the lowest price.

While price is important, it's also important to be sure that the kids computer games are the right ones for the customer's child. Reading reviews and getting recommendations from other parents is always a good step to take. Educational magazines, especially those regarding special needs learners, can recommend a number of products that might be geared specifically to children with ADHD, Autism, and many other learning disabilities. Lots of general educational websites will make recommendations for software typically used by students without disabilities. When the parent finally decides on the right software, she will need to choose a reputable store to make the purchase from. Store reviews aren't usually hard to find online, especially when using search engines. Customers need to be wary of stores that don't accept returns and those that have several negative reviews. In general, finding the right store and the right educational interactives can be a very fruitful process as long as the child's best interests are at heart. When parents step up and get involved in their child's education, they soon find Junior succeeding, not because of educational computer games or books, but because mom and dad give him the support that he needs.

source: kidscomputergames