Contrary to the oft-repeated mantras of mainstream, "popular opinion," video games are extremely helpful in developing important life skills. They are one of the best ways for children to learn, and they are fun.
Some of the key elements of playing games are exactly the kinds of things that you need to do to succeed as a leader. The goals you pursue and the skills you develop when you play games, including "recruiting allies, focusing on strengths--using power-ups to get stronger, confronting the bad guys rather than hiding from them," help you develop what McGonigal calls a "gameful mindset."
"Rock Man"
"Rock Man" is the Japanese title for the well known Mega Man series of games which debuted on the original Nintendo (Super Famicom here in Japan) back in the 80s.
Since my wife busted out her childhood Famicom a few months ago and began playing games with my son, he has become a nut for video games. A chip off the old block, as they say, or blocks, as both his mother and I were avid "retro gamers" back before said gaming was "retro."
We recently dug out my wife's copy of Mega Man V and started playing it. This series was one of my favorites as a kid, and though I never beat any of the Mega Man games when I was young, I was addicted to the format. With an initial palette of 8 very simply themed bosses (and their respective themed levels) to beat, i.e. "Heat Man," "Toad Man," "Snake Man," etc, the game was addictive.
Well, my son took to it immediately, and I was soon reminded how quickly and naturally children learn when they are truly interested and invested in something. Speaking of which, with my son's enthusiasm I became reinvested, and now we are beating the games left and right, together!
Teaching Pattern.
Upon watching me try to beat the bosses in Mega Man, my son became aware that I kept using the word "pattern."
We just gotta find the pattern, then we can win.
He asked me what I meant and I explained that each boss has a unique pattern of movement that repeats itself depending on how Mega Man moves. Once one understands the patterns of movement, bosses that seemed impossible can be beaten quite easily. All it takes is a little trial and error, some persistence, and some serious hand-eye coordination.
I had to laugh when I first heard my son echo the words I had been so passionately shouting for days prior after getting destroyed by new bosses. I had just been beaten by one of the mini-bosses in Wiley's castle, and yelled "Noooooooooo!" in frustration. Isaiah, my four-year-old-son, who had been running around the room in excitement as I battled, rushed to my side and exclaimed loudly:
Okay! We can do it! I know the pattern!
I love how the game teaches you to use different tools (gained from beating previous bosses) for different applications.
image source.
Persistence.
In order to beat any decently designed video game, one has to go through an almost heartbreaking (gamers out there will know what I mean) learning experience of trial and error. Oh, you made it to the last level, final boss, and are on your last continue? Here you go. Die. GAME OVER
Video games teach kids and adults alike not to give up. Persistence pays off. If you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you are going to get somewhere. I still can remember the feeling of accomplishment I had after beating Final Fantasy X on my own (no help from cheats) after literally months of struggle.
In Mega Man, if you don't understand the enemies, or the bosses, and attempt to avoid them, you will lose lots of health and almost always be bested by them. Trial and error, and not running away from these challenges, but understanding them, is paramount.
Holy shit. That's a lot like real life.
Pride.
I don't mean pride in a boastful way, but in the sense of having a feeling of accomplishment found in setting and achieving one's goals. Playing video games can build self-confidence in a very powerful way! I mean, after all that struggle, how good does this kick-ass, mega victorious scene feel!?
Video of the credits screen after me and Z-bee beat Mega Man V.
Finally, there is the language aspect.
Video games can greatly expand a child's vocabulary. I remember learning the terms "warp zone" and "girders" when playing the original Super Mario Bros. with my dad as a kid.
My son is learning about all kinds of different concepts through our Mega Man gaming exploits. I mean, "Pharaoh Man"? That's just a beautiful invitation to talk about Egypt, history, deserts, etc. He has also become interested in "quicksand."
I am not sure what the "E" power ups in the Mega Man game series are officially called. They look like batteries or canisters to me. I just call them "energy canisters." I had to chuckle a bit inside a few days ago when my little boy mentioned something to me about canisters.
We're now on Mega Man III, working our way backwards through the series. Wish us luck!
(Thanks for stopping by! If you missed my last Unschooling Blog, on Japanese tops, getting involved in my son's learning by learning myself, and 7 years in Japan, you can find it here.)
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
