Unfortunately I have no experience with children with ADD/ADHD, so I can only give my limited perspective on what kind of games I think they might enjoy. From my limited research it seems like these kids should be able to play most any kind of game as long as they're really interested in it. So if you can get a kind of general idea of what they're interested in, you might be able to go in a more specific direction from there.
One game series that immediately comes to mind is the Warioware series. These games are a bit wacky and off the wall and keep your attention with fast paced, frenzied mini
Unfortunately I have no experience with children with ADD/ADHD, so I can only give my limited perspective on what kind of games I think they might enjoy. From my limited research it seems like these kids should be able to play most any kind of game as long as they're really interested in it. So if you can get a kind of general idea of what they're interested in, you might be able to go in a more specific direction from there.
One game series that immediately comes to mind is the Warioware series. These games are a bit wacky and off the wall and keep your attention with fast paced, frenzied mini games. I found them to be very unique and addicting, and also not very difficult at all on the lower levels. Certainly something the children in that age range should be able to grasp. Also different games in the series are available on a plethora of consoles from game boy advance to gamecube to wii, with an upcoming wii u game as well.
Since I'm already on the nintendo train, I could also recommend the Mario Party series since there are lots of fun little mini games. It's basically a virtual board game where each turn ends with a mini game between all four players. And again, many different games in this series are available on different consoles. The games are simple, fun, and come with instructions for each one before you start playing. There is also a mini game mode where you can skip the boardgame pretense and just play mini games.
In a different direction, you might want to consider picking up a tablet or a smartphone and checking out the mobile gaming market. Some really popular games are Angrybirds, Temple Run, Tiny Wings, and Where's My Water?. The Android and iOS app stores are chalk full of tons of different apps that are free or very cheap. I recommend checking out the stores and just trying out a bunch of apps to see what your kids may or may not like, plus it will familiarize them with some newer and more current technology.
Hopefully I could have helped out a bit, if you're able to find out some more info about what kinds of games your kids might enjoy, feel free to update me and I can try to provide some more specific titles they might enjoy. I think video games have helpe me tremendously with visual attention and perception over the years so I definitely commend your initiative and would love to be of help. Best of luck!
There is a curve for difficulty and skill.
In most forms of entertainment, you have to find where you fall in that curve. A video game though changes the difficulty to match your skill. You don’t start a game, realize that it’s too mindless for you, and change the game. The game changes the difficulty. If you are watching a show, it might be too boring, or too complex, and you won’t know until after trying it.
There is a curve for difficulty and skill.
In most forms of entertainment, you have to find where you fall in that curve. A video game though changes the difficulty to match your skill. You don’t start a game, realize that it’s too mindless for you, and change the game. The game changes the difficulty. If you are watching a show, it might be too boring, or too complex, and you won’t know until after trying it.
Small children, by their very nature have short attention spans and limited impulse control. As a person with ADHD and the parent of a child with the same diagnosis, I'm highly skeptical of trying to diagnose or pin a label on a young child who may or may not be neurotypical.
Additionally, I would remove extraneous stimuli from the environment. Video games are engaging, especially so to people with ADHD because they are an assault on the senses, with their bright colors, moving images, sound effects and music. They are traps for hyper-focus, not a platform for learning attention to detail and
Small children, by their very nature have short attention spans and limited impulse control. As a person with ADHD and the parent of a child with the same diagnosis, I'm highly skeptical of trying to diagnose or pin a label on a young child who may or may not be neurotypical.
Additionally, I would remove extraneous stimuli from the environment. Video games are engaging, especially so to people with ADHD because they are an assault on the senses, with their bright colors, moving images, sound effects and music. They are traps for hyper-focus, not a platform for learning attention to detail and patience.
Attention spans can be a bit like Legos. They are built one piece at a time until you get to a finished project. You may already see where I am going here. I think your premise is flawed. With the proliferation of video games, the best way to improve attention, is to escape electronic stimuli entirely.
You would want to avoid anything that may cause pain or injury, but items like a short length of chain, that moves in an interesting way, balls of yarn and other movable objects are great for exploring and building attention.
For slightly older children, I would suggest 3D puzzles. (Something like HANAYAMA CAST PUZZLES might be good.) These items require time to resolve, attention to detail and stimulate all the same senses as a video game. They just don't stimulate the user without his/her input.
I was an awkward child who never played sports. At 18 I taught myself to juggle. Everyone who knew me was surprised. What I learned from the experience was that by practicing and deconstructing motion, I could be every bit as coordinated as everyone else, even more than most.
I believe in chemical intervention for ADHD, but like my juggling, the skill of extended attention span can be improved by doing the things that require attention, much like I tackled coordination by doing things that required coordination.
Because they have a variation, not a “disorder.”
Part of it is a talent, a gift for concentration over long periods. In ages past, these humans were the hunters — able to track game for days, undistracted, hyper-focused. They may have been fierce warriors too. When they weren’t hunting or battling they might have looked unfocused or easily distracted but their special abilities were indispensable.
Today these folks are the inventors and theorists and athletes, and like their hunter ancestors, they can hyperfocus better than anyone.
Problem is, schools like kids who sit quietly and shift attention
Because they have a variation, not a “disorder.”
Part of it is a talent, a gift for concentration over long periods. In ages past, these humans were the hunters — able to track game for days, undistracted, hyper-focused. They may have been fierce warriors too. When they weren’t hunting or battling they might have looked unfocused or easily distracted but their special abilities were indispensable.
Today these folks are the inventors and theorists and athletes, and like their hunter ancestors, they can hyperfocus better than anyone.
Problem is, schools like kids who sit quietly and shift attention from one subject to the next on command. Schools dislike the small minority who can’t hold still, get impatient and bored easily, but are brilliant when allowed to be .
Schools dislike them so much that they’ve decided they are disordered, diseased, and need to be drugged into submission.
Schools, please don’t give dangerous drugs that mess with kids’ brains so that they will fit into your classrooms. Instead, provide alternatives that work for these kids and liberate their gifts.
Check this Quora answer for one list of famous persons with AD/HD who survived their early education and did great things for us. June Silny's answer to Who are some of the most famous people with ADHD?
Power Up Attention and Memory: Fun Activities for Kids with ADHD
Attention and memory can be tricky for children with ADHD, but don't worry! Here are some engaging activities that research shows can help:
Video Games (in Moderation!): Believe it or not, specific video games can boost memory and focus. Studies show that playing action video games for short bursts (15 minutes a day, 3 times a week) can improve working memory and sustained attention (Green & Bavelier, 2008). Some helpful titles include "Brain Age" games, "Super Mario 64," and "The Sims" (Green, 2006).
Memory Games Make a Splash: Mem
Power Up Attention and Memory: Fun Activities for Kids with ADHD
Attention and memory can be tricky for children with ADHD, but don't worry! Here are some engaging activities that research shows can help:
Video Games (in Moderation!): Believe it or not, specific video games can boost memory and focus. Studies show that playing action video games for short bursts (15 minutes a day, 3 times a week) can improve working memory and sustained attention (Green & Bavelier, 2008). Some helpful titles include "Brain Age" games, "Super Mario 64," and "The Sims" (Green, 2006).
Memory Games Make a Splash: Memory games are a classic for a reason! Research shows computerized memory training programs with a game-like approach significantly improve short-term and working memory (Melby-Lervåg & Hulme, 2013). Building block memory games like those using Duplo blocks can also be effective (Jones et al., 2012).
Board Games: Fun for the Whole Brain: Board games are a win-win for entertainment and cognitive skills. Studies show regular board game playing can improve memory, concentration, and even executive function skills (Cabrera & Diamond, 2004). Try classics like Memory, Scrabble, Trouble, or Chess (Faragher et al., 2015).
Multisensory Matters: Engaging multiple senses can be a game-changer for focus and memory. Studies show that combining music, movement, and visuals improves attention and working memory (Darrah et al., 2006). Rhyming activities like cooking can also enhance phonological memory (Maiser & Innes-Brown, 2004).
Nature Knows Best: Spending time outdoors can be a natural focus booster! Research shows that just 20 minutes in nature, three times a week for six weeks, can significantly improve attention in children with ADHD (Kaplan et al., 2010). So get outside and explore – hike, garden, or go birdwatching!
Remember, consistency is key. By incorporating these activities into your child's routine, you can help them develop stronger attention and memory skills.
Answer by prach :
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Video games can function similarly to traditional forms of play, presenting opportunities for identity development and cognitive and social challenges. Many things children do on their devices are age-appropriate activities that have been done offline in the past: socializing with peers, hobbies, shopping, listening to music, doing schoolwork, and watching TV.The majority of teens and young adults communicating online feels feel better about themselves and more connected socially. For those children, an electronic connection can be lifesaving.
Those with ADHD tend to have less “bandwidth” in th
Video games can function similarly to traditional forms of play, presenting opportunities for identity development and cognitive and social challenges. Many things children do on their devices are age-appropriate activities that have been done offline in the past: socializing with peers, hobbies, shopping, listening to music, doing schoolwork, and watching TV.The majority of teens and young adults communicating online feels feel better about themselves and more connected socially. For those children, an electronic connection can be lifesaving.
Those with ADHD tend to have less “bandwidth” in their working memory functions and are likely to have more difficulty than others in quickly linking together various memories relevant to doing or not doing a task. They are less likely to consider the bigger picture of which the present moment is a part. They operate more like someone following a cricket match through msg updates, unable to take into account the action on the field, the missed catches, and sixes that are not included in the mere screen display of numbers provided by their network.
Online habits are problematic when they become compulsive or habitual, may be motivated by the desire for mood alteration, and are related to offline difficulties.
Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is one proposed diagnosis that highlights the impairing potential of unhealthy internet use. Reviews suggest that PIU co-occurs with mental health disorders, particularly depression and ADHD.
Screens and video games don’t cause ADHD, but many researchers and clinicians believe too much media can compound existing attention problems. Research suggests that less than an hour of gaming a day may have positive effects, such as increased resilience and problem-solving skills.
It makes sense that people with ADHD find games more compelling than non-ADHD people. The continuous activity doesn’t require s sustained attention, and constant shifts in focus provide instant gratification and reward. Games deliver the clear, constant feedback their brains crave. They know what's right and what's wrong — instantly. Also, they are allowed to practice doing the same thing repeatedly until they get it right, and there’s no one there to judge them. Because the failures are private, children learn how to handle frustration and disappointment without public embarrassment.
Video games are multimodal – they have sound or music, great visuals, and actions – that, together, provide the stimulation children with ADHD crave. Additionally, it connects children with peers — online in the game and in real life as youngsters discuss the game. Players can learn from others and improve at their own pace.
Video games can improve problem-solving skills, working memory, leadership skills, and processing speed. They help kids build decision-making and planning skills and improve focus and attention. More specifically:
- Minecraft: Improves focus and organizational skills
- Super Mario 64: Builds brain regions
- Tetris: Thicker cortex-brain efficiency
- StarCraft: Improves flexibility of thinking and executive function
- Project EVO: Improves focus and concentration (in early research)
- LEGOs: Organization and engineering skills
Any child will tell you that video games are fun and exciting. It turns out they can be educational, too. Gaming can improve eye-hand coordination and may foster positive social interactions. A child or adult chooses which games he wants to play based on his needs, whether improving his inattention or controlling impulsive tendencies. Once the user selects his preference, a selection of games will pop up on the screen.
Brains of children who use smartphones, tablets, and video games more than seven hours a day are more likely to experience premature cortex thinning. Children who spend less than two hours a day on screens, participate in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity and receive nine to 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep have higher cognitive abilities. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting the amount of time preschoolers spend in front of a screen. It's good advice — but in today's world, it can be tough to keep kids away from all the TVs, tablets, computers, smartphones, and gaming systems they'll see.
- Until 18 months of age, limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town).
- Between 18 and 24 months, screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.
- For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on weekends.
- For ages six and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.
Not all screen time is created equal. For example, you and your child playing an interactive phonics or numbers game on a tablet or watching high-quality educational programming together is good screen time. Keeping the TV on all day for "background noise" or letting your preschooler watch your favorite shows with you are examples of bad screen time.
Use screen time to interact with your child and teach lessons about the world. Don't let your child spend time alone just staring at a screen. Screen time might, for some children, interfere with structured activities during the week, such as homework, but it can be used more extensively on weekends. Use the following steps to tap into the skill-building potential of video games:
- Help your child identify the thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to play the game.
- Encourage metacognition and reflection by discussing how these skills are used in the real world.
- Engage your child in activities that use these skills, and then talk with your child about how the crafts are connected to gameplay.
- Set 20-minute screen breaks every hour. Time Timer is an excellent option for smartphones.
- Take a 20-second peek at nature after each level you complete in a video game.
- Use the bookmark function and “bookmark” e-books every two chapters. These are 15-minute go-outside-stretch breaks.
- Computer screens are bright, and the glare from them can cause strain on our eyes. Adjust the brightness of your screen to create a comfortable brightness on your eyes for reading.
- Avoid using digital devices outside in bright sunlight and in rooms with bright lights.
- Teach kids to hold smartphones and other digital devices approximately 18 to 24 inches from their faces
- Create distractions that cause your child to look up now and then. Remind them to blink during screen time.
- Learn about and use parental controls.
- Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters, or to stop tantrums.
- Turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime. Turn off all screens during family meals and outings.
Each time a new electronic device enters your home, sit down with your child and create clear guidelines for its use by outlining the five Ws (and an H):
- Who may use it?
- What may it be used to do?
- When may it be used?
- Where may it be used?
- Why is this rule being set?
- How will this rule be enforced?
References:
Video Games Can Help Kids with ADHD – If You Choose Wisely
The Mystery of ADHD Motivation, Solved
Train your brain: How to keep your mind young
Total Score! Video Games That Train the Brain to Focus
Beyond Minecraft: How to Get Your Child to Log Off
Free Download: Too Much Screen Time? How to Regulate Your Teen's Devices
They don't need to teach us to pay attention. We can pay attention to fast moving flashy things that excite us. It's the boring stuff that cannot teach us to pay attention. People with ADD pay attention 100 percent of the time. We are always paying attention to the most dangerous thing in our environment. If spelling were life theatening we would be totally into it. Our hereditary job is to guard, protect, and sustain our energy until there are no threats anywhere near by. Just the way other living things have specialized skills. Tigers can't spell, but they can smell. (Sorry!). Anyway, we kno
They don't need to teach us to pay attention. We can pay attention to fast moving flashy things that excite us. It's the boring stuff that cannot teach us to pay attention. People with ADD pay attention 100 percent of the time. We are always paying attention to the most dangerous thing in our environment. If spelling were life theatening we would be totally into it. Our hereditary job is to guard, protect, and sustain our energy until there are no threats anywhere near by. Just the way other living things have specialized skills. Tigers can't spell, but they can smell. (Sorry!). Anyway, we know how to pay attention better than other people, but for someone less vigilant than we are to try to redirect our attention doesn't make sense to us. Therefore, we need to dial down our fight or flight response with chemicals in order to live in a world that is made for controlling people and putting them in classrooms, cubicles, and assembly lines. Those of us willing to dumb ourselves down can sometimes be successful. More often, we end up sleeping on the sidewalk or in jail. That's why only about twenty percent of us have not gone extinct. But glad you asked because the better you understand how difficult it is for us to tolerate the slow paced torture we feel every day, the better you will accept how valuable we can be if we can be used for our excellent characteristics to invent, to protect, to sustain ourselves under pressure, and to contribute great ideas to your enterprises.
People with ADHD tend to need at least one of three things to be able to pay attention. And when they have enough of that, it’s hard to stop paying attention.
Those three magical things? Novelty, Interest, Urgency.
Video games have those things in spades. In truck loads! That’s what they’re specifically designed to do.
How can a teacher use this knowledge? By integrating those factors into their teaching. And the best thing is, it wouldn’t help just the kids with ADHD, but all kids in the class. I’m not a teacher (the good ones are heaven-sent and I would be mediocre at best) so I don’t know how
People with ADHD tend to need at least one of three things to be able to pay attention. And when they have enough of that, it’s hard to stop paying attention.
Those three magical things? Novelty, Interest, Urgency.
Video games have those things in spades. In truck loads! That’s what they’re specifically designed to do.
How can a teacher use this knowledge? By integrating those factors into their teaching. And the best thing is, it wouldn’t help just the kids with ADHD, but all kids in the class. I’m not a teacher (the good ones are heaven-sent and I would be mediocre at best) so I don’t know how to do that exactly.
Oo, okay! My dad has Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, whereas I have Inattentive; we both play video games and my dad plays more than I do. He first showed me video games when I was around 4 or 5, so I think I can answer this. I think it really helps reading skills as well as things such as learning objectives gives you a mental reward and makes you feel good. I also think it’s good mental exercise, depending on the type of game it is. However, like all things, there has to be a limit. Your child might get angry when interrupted, but that would be because the kid is hyperfocusing on it and we only
Oo, okay! My dad has Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, whereas I have Inattentive; we both play video games and my dad plays more than I do. He first showed me video games when I was around 4 or 5, so I think I can answer this. I think it really helps reading skills as well as things such as learning objectives gives you a mental reward and makes you feel good. I also think it’s good mental exercise, depending on the type of game it is. However, like all things, there has to be a limit. Your child might get angry when interrupted, but that would be because the kid is hyperfocusing on it and we only have so much attention to give.
Hyperfocus is basically where we’re able to focus for hours on something without losing interest, it can be dangerous as we will ignore body cues such as hunger or even sleep. The reason for this is that our brain, chemically, is interest-based rather than priority-based. So I’d suggest watching out on that and giving the kid a tap on the shoulder or being gentle with them if they snap at you or instinctively jerk back.
Other than that, I’d say go for it. Just keep an eye on what they might be playing and for how long. Hope it works out! :)
Good video games provide a constant feedback loop. You try something out , you get instant feedback on whether you succeed or fail. There is always a challenge that requires you to learn a new skill, or apply a sequence of skills you have learned in combination. Back in the heyday of arcade games, they were designed to eat your quarters but they had to lure you in with the promise of getting new achievements. In many cases, getting further along in the game, requires you to memorize a sequence. It’s fun and engaging.
I’m convinced (and many researchers as well) that ADHD is a misnomer. There is
Good video games provide a constant feedback loop. You try something out , you get instant feedback on whether you succeed or fail. There is always a challenge that requires you to learn a new skill, or apply a sequence of skills you have learned in combination. Back in the heyday of arcade games, they were designed to eat your quarters but they had to lure you in with the promise of getting new achievements. In many cases, getting further along in the game, requires you to memorize a sequence. It’s fun and engaging.
I’m convinced (and many researchers as well) that ADHD is a misnomer. There is no deficit of attention, the ADHD mind processes information quickly. It’s named as a disorder because our society expects children to sit still for hours on end, learning the same materials they’ve mastered over a few years.
One element that ADHD brains possess is a condition called “hyper focus” I can best explain it by example. When I was 10 I had a BMX bike that went every where with me. There was a storefront arcade in my neighborhood and I rode it there one day to play a game. I put my bike in the corner not ten feet away from me and dropped my quarter to play spy hunter. 20 minutes later my game was over and I looked up to grab my bike…which was gone. The world had melted away as I concentrated on driving my spy car, shooting the enemies and getting closer to completing my mission.
Video games require skill to be successful. There is a constant feedback loop that shows how well you are achieving the goals the game has set before you. There is always another level to strive for even if it’s just getting the high score.
Hyper-focus is how an ADHD mind can make the 10,000 hours needed to become an expert in skills seem easy as long as there is a feedback loop and a “next level” to master.
Um, for the same reason people without ADHD enjoy video games, they’re fun. There isn’t any special mystical ADHD reason to play video games. I have ADHD and I really only get into video games for short bouts at a time, usually.
Now if you mean to ask why children with ADHD may play more video games, it is likely because of the rewards system.
The current theory as to the primary workings of ADHD, is a deficiency of dopamine in the brain that results in attention, and executive function issues. For those with ADHD, things like hyperactive behavior, or playing video games, raises the amount of do
Um, for the same reason people without ADHD enjoy video games, they’re fun. There isn’t any special mystical ADHD reason to play video games. I have ADHD and I really only get into video games for short bouts at a time, usually.
Now if you mean to ask why children with ADHD may play more video games, it is likely because of the rewards system.
The current theory as to the primary workings of ADHD, is a deficiency of dopamine in the brain that results in attention, and executive function issues. For those with ADHD, things like hyperactive behavior, or playing video games, raises the amount of dopamine in the brain, which can get one into some semblance of focus. (ADHD is a bit of a misnomer, really its an issue with cognitive control or executive function, people with ADHD can enter what is known as hyperfocus)
Exploring the Strong Link Between ADHD and Addiction
We are considerably more prone to become addicted.
But video game playing (if it is excessive and interferes with life) is a compulsion.
The Link Between Depression and ADHD
From the above link
Up to 30% of children who have ADHD also have a serious mood disorder like depression. And some experts say that more than half of people who have the condition will get treatment for depression at some point in their lives.
A common symptom of depression is compulsive behavior, such as compulsive video game playing, television watching, etc.
I’m one of the people. It was only recently, but I got diagnosed Bipolar II. I’ve been in major depressive episodes. Sometimes all you want to do (other than sleep) is to laze around and do something distracting (like video games, or TV, or whatever).
TL;DR ADHD doesn’t predestine you to play lots of video games, but it can set you up for compulsive playing because of common comorbid conditions.
I am not an expert, but have direct experience with this question. So this answer is simply a testimonial.
Kids with ADHD have trouble taking in the things around them. More specifically, in what order and how long. It's not going to be the same for everyone, but those two things are basically true. Let's simplify it that way.
This is not necessarily like a sensory issue, although those I am speaking about have sensory issues as well. When sensory issues trigger, there is too much to take in and they shut down. With ADHD, we see there be a lot to take in and they want it all. In no order and for
I am not an expert, but have direct experience with this question. So this answer is simply a testimonial.
Kids with ADHD have trouble taking in the things around them. More specifically, in what order and how long. It's not going to be the same for everyone, but those two things are basically true. Let's simplify it that way.
This is not necessarily like a sensory issue, although those I am speaking about have sensory issues as well. When sensory issues trigger, there is too much to take in and they shut down. With ADHD, we see there be a lot to take in and they want it all. In no order and for short time.
Some video games provide a few things. First, they have a lot going on. Since this kid wants to explore all of the inputs that they are receiving, a loud, busy, and noisy game can be really appealing. They aren't necessarily going to be able to focus on this noisy game longer than other things… but the next noisy game is really appealing. Switching rapidly between games seems to be comforting.
However, that rapid switching seems to be an overall negetive thing to me. What I've seen is that it feeds into a negetive aspect of ADHD and makes them want the same fast swapping of appealing things in real life. Like stopping a board game after 5 minutes, or wanting a snack while eating lunch. Taking away the noisy video games appears to help in my limited experience.
More explorative games seem to have a more positive effect. I couldn't tell you why, but a game like minecraft helps center and keep their focus. I think its because they are choosing a goal that they want and that helps them focus. Kind of like someone without ADHD getting a coloring page. The expectations of perfection are gone and you can just enjoy the activity and be challeneged to color between the lines.
Remember, ADHD kids are not badly behaved kids. They need help focusing. I worked on software for kids with a range of learning challenges, and ADHD had some of the most interesting design constraints. How do you help a teacher or parent prevent the child from leaving the app, and how do you make little aids to help them focus? It's not an easy problem to solve… but giving them consistent cues often is a good help to keep them on task. Remind them to focus.
I think video games do this well. They want you to keep going. They want you to explore. They respond to creative problem solving, and often times short bursts of attention are what is needed to solve an issue. So they have a lot of things that are hard to give in educational settings.
Anyway, that's just what I've observed. Hopefully it helps.
When you have EXCESSIVE hours of something, I think that generally means that the amount of hours is too much.
I mean that’s what excessive means?
And “should” is a matter of opinion.
But I’m going to give you my opinion. The amount of hours does not matter. What matters is the context and the consequences. If a kid with ADHD plays for gazillion hours and it doesn’t cause any harm… then it doesn’t cause any harm. What does it matter then?
But ok, first of all, are kids affected by video games? Well obviously they are affected since otherwise they wouldn’t be interested in them… but are they affect
When you have EXCESSIVE hours of something, I think that generally means that the amount of hours is too much.
I mean that’s what excessive means?
And “should” is a matter of opinion.
But I’m going to give you my opinion. The amount of hours does not matter. What matters is the context and the consequences. If a kid with ADHD plays for gazillion hours and it doesn’t cause any harm… then it doesn’t cause any harm. What does it matter then?
But ok, first of all, are kids affected by video games? Well obviously they are affected since otherwise they wouldn’t be interested in them… but are they affected in the ways that we fear? Do they get aggressive, have trouble concentrating, ruin their eyesight, get fat, no friends… mostly no. Studies show that the vast majority of kids are not affected that way by videogames. And there is the minority that has these negative consequences and a slightly bigger minority that actually has just the opposite consequences. Like improved concentration and less aggression. I don’t know about eyesight though.
Also I would argue that the people who are claiming these things are not really familiar with what’s going on in the world of videogames at the moment. I am not either but even I know that those worries are based on an idea of videogames that has been outdated for at least 10 years.
How does ADHD affect? Well, I think there are two factors here… or three.
- People with ADHD are more likely to develop addictions. I don’t know of any specific research on video games on this tendency but in any case, since there seems to be a certain pattern in how addictions develop, I wouldn’t worry about this as long as the kid is also living a happy life outside the games. If not… well, then the video games are not the main problem and taking them away is not really going to improve the situation.
- The effects on the ability to concentrate. The research I’ve read seems to indicate that “screen time” actually improves this slightly. Even though I believe that’s actually because you cannot spend hours in front of a screen (playing or watching a movie) without having at least some ability to sit still and focus. So it kind of makes the “lots of hours” group score higher on the concentration tasks. Because of selection bias. Just my assumption.
- Problems with executive function.. as everything is difficult as it is, you might not be able to afford to waste time with games. I don’t know, I’ve heard this argument… it might be true for some but I do not think having ADHD should mean you have to focus your entire life around it. And some R&R is especially important for ADHD brains. It could be a matter of time management but I doubt there are many cases where giving up video games would solve the issue.
Tl;dr: Excessive is always too much and nobody should do too much of anything but video games are probably less harmful than you think.
Here’s the thing about video games.
Video games are engaging. Now I’m sure someone is pondering “How isn’t learning engaging?”. The problem here is the difference of how the two mediums engage with the student.
For example a video game instructs, then immediately after instruction require the student to prove they understand what they were taught.
Yet, that’s not all of it. While a text book will provide ample amounts of analytical information to review; The format is rather dry. Video games on the other hand teach, test, then let the student explore. The player often doesn’t even realize they ar
Here’s the thing about video games.
Video games are engaging. Now I’m sure someone is pondering “How isn’t learning engaging?”. The problem here is the difference of how the two mediums engage with the student.
For example a video game instructs, then immediately after instruction require the student to prove they understand what they were taught.
Yet, that’s not all of it. While a text book will provide ample amounts of analytical information to review; The format is rather dry. Video games on the other hand teach, test, then let the student explore. The player often doesn’t even realize they are being tested in their retention of the knowledge as well.
While a textbook would outline various aspects the student will need to understand to grasp a concept, the system it employs is rigid refusing any exploration inside of it’s text.
A video game will introduce a concept to the player, request that they resolve the concept, then allow the player to use that concept in a practical application.
Here’s an example from Mega Man:
In the video game Mega Man as the player traverses the in game environment the screen will scroll from the right moving left. As the player moves forward (Right) more of the in game environment is revealed. While this happens new obstacles are illuminated well before the player can interact with them. During this kind of event the player can observe what the obstacle is. It could be an enemy, a trap, a difficult platform jump, etc… However, what makes Mega Man unique compared to a text book is how it telegraphs this information to the player.
Well before the player is in the position to make a mistake the game telegraphs the conflict giving the player the chance to consider their options in advance. They then use the available game mechanics to plan a route to find a resolution to the obstacle.
So let’s say an enemy simply moves up and down, occasionally shooting an energy ball at the player. The player (left side of the screen) observes this entity (right side of screen) giving them a chance to observe the entities’ movements. Suddenly the player is confronted with multiple options to navigate around, a choice of how they want to resolve the conflict.
Video games are in my opinion one of the best ways to provide instruction. Not only do they engage the student, they provide them ample opportunity to explore the subject matter while increasing their competency with it.
I also want to point out ADD/ADHD students must feel engaged by the subject matter they are learning. It has been my experience that such students are very hands on when it comes to learning new material. Simply sitting them down with a book often yields poor results. Instead I suggest finding a way to engage such students with instructional material in practical ways.
When I was in school I had a great history teacher. He had implemented Age of Empires 2 into his class, the results were astonishing compared to other instructional methods. What he did was create small little scenarios within the game and have the students play along while he would lecture. Needless to say the class did exceptionally well when it came time to test. Not because they memorized seemingly generic facts, but because the taught material was done so within a medium that allowed students to interact with it.
Rock and Roll syndrome.
Videogame's as they stand now ade new and alien to a lot of parents so they get tagged with causing all kinds of negative effects.
How would it even be possible to prove? Which kids DON'T play video games? Only the ones without ADHD?
It's more likely that a sedentary lifestyle is a the main cause of which video games are a symptom, a symptom which may exacerbate ADHD but not cause it.
Children have virtually no environment to be kids any more. Unless you count those overpriced, germ farms called play centres.
To learn how to focus, my parents did several things for me to become a baseball player, good at catching, throwing, batting and base running.
- My parents allowed us to play in the street and told us that we needed to get out of the way for all bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks. We played Homerun Derby, One-a-cat, 4-square and threw a football doing tag football from ages 5 to 9.
- All of the batting was done with a pine bat and a wiffle plastic ball or soft flat tennis ball. Neither ball, when hit, went more than a 100 feet. So, no windows were broken and we young baseball players could catch
To learn how to focus, my parents did several things for me to become a baseball player, good at catching, throwing, batting and base running.
- My parents allowed us to play in the street and told us that we needed to get out of the way for all bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks. We played Homerun Derby, One-a-cat, 4-square and threw a football doing tag football from ages 5 to 9.
- All of the batting was done with a pine bat and a wiffle plastic ball or soft flat tennis ball. Neither ball, when hit, went more than a 100 feet. So, no windows were broken and we young baseball players could catch, run, throw and hit well by age 7. Playing as a team was difficult, but we all scrimmaged by choosing our players by odd rules. Team play forced us to make certain spots where hit balls were an instant out, like hitting a parked car, an unwary pedestrian or even an adult. It took extreme focus to play baseball in a 30 foot wide asphaltic surfaced tree-lined road. We ran the bases chalked on the road, but no one used baseball gloves. We all did this barehanded. To save bloody knees, no one was allowed to slide - that was an instant out.
- The Third thing my parents did to help me focus was to pitch balls to me from age 5 to 9. It started out underhand at 5 and graduated to overhand by age 7 at slow pitch. After 7, all fast and overhand pitch. We didn’t run. Just hit and then go get the balls and take them to the pitcher mound, 1000 per batter per event. That lasted 3 hours, usually on Saturdays.
This focus business was year round, any surface cleared of snow, raked of leaves and drained of rainfall. Baseball throwing, catching and hitting was year round with no rest, unless deep snow, continuous rain or threat of wind storms and lightning.
Baseball was our life from ages 2 through highschool. All of the other sports just enabled us to become better runners 🏃♂️, hitters, catchers and team players. My parents then taught us tennis in highschool and beyond. Sports were tough, because only the best were chosen to play against other schools. It was good to learn focus and sportsmanship through baseball and tennis, though very tough, due to the year-round need to practice and train.
Other less strenuous focus sports are badminton, Tether Ball, Table Tennis (pingpong), swimming for racing, basketball, handball, cross country running and skiing, volleyball and horseshoes. Golf, football and soccer require focus, but are very strenuous and can be injuries prone.
When I think back, my parents were interactive with me, because we had a large family. 4 children in close age, each with a friend, produced a 10 person family wherever we went. It was a throng and a team at the same time. All things in the shape of a ball were game to play catch, kick and hit. Focus was an assumed and learned skill to do those activities.
Repetitive physical activities using arms and legs are among the best activities to improve the focus and attention span of young kids between 3–9 years old.
The reason such repetitive exercise using arms increases focus was suggested by neuroscientists at UCLA in a study I read a few years ago. MRIs of children’s brains revealed that the brain ‘lights up’ in more places when students write by hand (in cursive v keyboard). The conclusion of the study was that upper arm movements (repetitive motor movements) cause neural firings in more places of the brain and result in improved cognition.
I extr
Repetitive physical activities using arms and legs are among the best activities to improve the focus and attention span of young kids between 3–9 years old.
The reason such repetitive exercise using arms increases focus was suggested by neuroscientists at UCLA in a study I read a few years ago. MRIs of children’s brains revealed that the brain ‘lights up’ in more places when students write by hand (in cursive v keyboard). The conclusion of the study was that upper arm movements (repetitive motor movements) cause neural firings in more places of the brain and result in improved cognition.
I extrapolated from this study as a reading specialist for children ages 2–17. I began first by assessing their focal periods. How long could they attend to a task like reading a page and remain focused? That was their baseline focal period.
We ‘chunked’ three focal periods per lesson. That gave us three break periods to jump rope.
I asked them to jump rope during our breaks. We took a four minute break after every baseline focal period. The rule was to try to jump consecutively without tripping the rope, and to increase consecutive jumps every day. Even +1 per day was commendable. I kept a graph updated daily so they could see their improvement over time.
Then after two weeks I reassessed their focal periods. Every single child who jumped with fidelity to the jump rope rules had increased their focal period! Not only that, their reading fluency (speed) and comprehension scores improved.
I realized that jumping rope seemed to correlate with improved cognition. I’m not a scientist, but these efforts worked so well that I’m still getting fan mail ten years later from parents and students who are glad for the academic successes the students have had.
Not all kids can jump rope. Some kids are too young, developmentally. But they can use arms and legs rhymically, too: they can repeatedly climb up ladders and slide down. Or, they can jump on a trampoline.
The older children can learn to jump rope and focus on increasing their abilities (+1 daily) to jump rope consecutively without tripping the rope.
Please try this technique. I would love it if you would report back in the comments whether you and your child think fidelity to the jump rope charting system (during breaks after each period of focus) has lengthened your child’s focal periods.
I found that teaching reading and focusing on jumping rope — together — results in a ‘head fake’ a la Professor Randy Pausch and he is so wonderful that it is well worth watching this video of his Last Lecture in its entirety. I have rewatched it often.
Caption: Above is a YouTube link to Dr Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture in which he discusses the term ‘head fake’.
The children think they’re just jumping rope. Actually, they are firing neurons and increasing focal length by adding one jump daily to their cumulative consecutive jumps.
Plus, they are in better physical shape. Win-win!
As a gamer with ADHD, I can say that video games are a double-edged sword.
On one hand, they are very overstimulating at times.
On the other, video games are one of the few things I can concentrate on without getting distracted. They require constant sensory attention and are one of the few pastimes I can do for a long amount of time.
It really does depend on the person, although too much screen-based blue light exposure is bad for everyone.
The people with ADHD are better with hands on activities. With video game they are controlling the game with their hands. Its not that ADHD people cannot survive. They have focus issues but they do like certain things and if channelized properly they will flourish in what they like. For example my 16 year old is very focused with anything related to cars, be it fixing it, drifting it, modifying it etc.
I doubt it. No not really. The problem is that for material that holds no real interest for us the potential/desire to be distracted increases a ton. It is much better to let kids with ADHD show you what they are interested in and then to build around that. You will not be successful trying to put the square peg in the round hole that is your average public school. I for instance hated, HATED, english classes in high school. It was not until later that the subject interested me more. I know what a gerund is and many other parts of speech now tho. Kudos to all those who did not have to look it
I doubt it. No not really. The problem is that for material that holds no real interest for us the potential/desire to be distracted increases a ton. It is much better to let kids with ADHD show you what they are interested in and then to build around that. You will not be successful trying to put the square peg in the round hole that is your average public school. I for instance hated, HATED, english classes in high school. It was not until later that the subject interested me more. I know what a gerund is and many other parts of speech now tho. Kudos to all those who did not have to look it up :P
ADHD implies a high level of distraction. However, ADHD actually means that individuals have unique attention triggers. We notice when their attention becomes distracted, but they can also experience intense focus.
My son had ADHD. His first school principal said Aaron was the most extreme case of ADHD he had observed in 37 years in education.
Sure, Aaron could be all over the place emotionally. But
ADHD implies a high level of distraction. However, ADHD actually means that individuals have unique attention triggers. We notice when their attention becomes distracted, but they can also experience intense focus.
My son had ADHD. His first school principal said Aaron was the most extreme case of ADHD he had observed in 37 years in education.
Sure, Aaron could be all over the place emotionally. But he could become so engrossed in play that he could play with some toys (before video games) ...
This is going to be one of those types of questions in which you get nothing but opinion answers because no one can know for sure. We say that the generation having kids now grew up with screens, but that’s not really true.
It depends on age, of course, but my kids had some video games, more TV than we would have wanted philosophically, and, yes, they had computer time. Our first computer was a Windows 95.
It seriously looked something like this complete with external speakers.
We had to limit Internet time because it interfered with the phone lines and cell phones were not yet a thing.
So, it’s n
This is going to be one of those types of questions in which you get nothing but opinion answers because no one can know for sure. We say that the generation having kids now grew up with screens, but that’s not really true.
It depends on age, of course, but my kids had some video games, more TV than we would have wanted philosophically, and, yes, they had computer time. Our first computer was a Windows 95.
It seriously looked something like this complete with external speakers.
We had to limit Internet time because it interfered with the phone lines and cell phones were not yet a thing.
So, it’s not like that generation is an example. Now kids have a computer in their pocket! And, that computer plays video games.
My unpopular opinion is that intelligence, on its own, isn’t affected externally. From infancy, you get a gauge on how intelligent your child is. I talk about things like schools dumbing kids down.
That doesn’t mean they’re making kids less intelligent. It means they’re taking away the will to learn and the methods to do so on one’s own. Likewise, I’ve argued that going to college doesn’t make a person more intelligent. It makes them more knowledgeable around the areas that they study.
As for screen time in general and video games specifically, I think those things add to a child’s learning. There are important lessons in gameplay. Kids learn material management, time management, cooperative skills and much more while playing. They learn persistence vs giving up.
Kids who play video games and even offline games learn memory skills and learn to sift and prioritize a lot of information at once. Don’t believe me? Ask a kid about their Pokemon characters.
The main thing I worry about screen time is coping because often screen time is used as an escape or form of coping mechanism on its own. I think escape is good sometimes. But, in life, we need to be able to handle real-world situations at times when we can’t walk away from them.
Also, there’s an element of productivity, I guess. With kids, we can say that chores and homework come first. Games can’t be prioritized over life. But, as they become adults, they need to learn to apply all of those game skills for good, to make their life better.
As parents, we need to recognize that, too, so we can guide our kids properly.
Hi,
An ADHD associated challenge termed as screen-sucking by Dr. Edward Hallowell, a pioneer in the field of ADHD management, may be at the root of the constant use of mobile phones, computer games and ipads by children and adults with ADHD.
Hence it is not that children develop ADHD due to these habits, it is...
Suddenly the speaker’s drone becomes words that I understand. Suppose this happens in class or when supervisor talking, I’m startled and don’t know what I missed. If I ask, I’m sternly told to pay attention. If I fake it, I’m yelled at for not listening. When I visualize something, boss says I’m disrespectful to roll my eyes at her.
I do not know what other people mean when they talk to me. Make a report on this: I cover everything, send it in and told I only wanted a summary
I don’t know what this task is supposed to be so I do it as thoufouly as possible.
I am criticized for not reacting like a
Suddenly the speaker’s drone becomes words that I understand. Suppose this happens in class or when supervisor talking, I’m startled and don’t know what I missed. If I ask, I’m sternly told to pay attention. If I fake it, I’m yelled at for not listening. When I visualize something, boss says I’m disrespectful to roll my eyes at her.
I do not know what other people mean when they talk to me. Make a report on this: I cover everything, send it in and told I only wanted a summary
I don’t know what this task is supposed to be so I do it as thoufouly as possible.
I am criticized for not reacting like a normal person for not being aware of X, for developing good solutions to project tasks because I got the answers by insight. I have to stop telling people how I figured it out and write the steps going back from solution to problem and then reverse it as a procedure.
People drop verbal vague objectives in my ear that don’t stick. I get tasks in writing. I’m the one who has to explain that words in project have different meanings and cause confusion, then I’m the bad guy.
I expect everything to go wrong. I have to work much longer.
wdym by “focus”. Many people with ADHD can focus on something they are really really really really really really intrested in. So for example.
MINECRAFT
children with ADHD play on there for HOURS and no distractions.
ROBLOX
same thing as minecraft.
tbh people with ADHD dont really focus is becuase they arent intrested. So i would say no. There are no games that can help a child focus on other subjects that arent the game itself.
YES there are games that get your child’s attention like the ones I listed.
I believe it does. I watch today's kids and feel very sad. They don't know how to communicate face to face, they don't know how to spell, they can't write a complete or proper sentence and this total lack of respect comes from seeing so much garbage that is pretend that they have no idea what is real anymore.
There are many games for children . Which game is suitable for children is determined by checking the pegi rating on a game so the best games to play for children are
- SUPER MARIO 3D WORLD
The pegi rating for it is 3
The levels are easy and are open and friendly . The game has easy controls and is the best game which teaches us how to co-operate or work as a team . The game is suited or made in such a way that you can play it as a team so you can even play it with your family
2. SPLATOON 2
The pegi rating for this game is 7
Basically we will keep kids away from online shooters but splatoon is an exce
There are many games for children . Which game is suitable for children is determined by checking the pegi rating on a game so the best games to play for children are
- SUPER MARIO 3D WORLD
The pegi rating for it is 3
The levels are easy and are open and friendly . The game has easy controls and is the best game which teaches us how to co-operate or work as a team . The game is suited or made in such a way that you can play it as a team so you can even play it with your family
2. SPLATOON 2
The pegi rating for this game is 7
Basically we will keep kids away from online shooters but splatoon is an exception it has a a cartoonish and a cooly design which kids love . It can be played as multiplayer and it is safe . It helps in co-operation as well improves the instinct
3. OVERCOOKED
The pegi rating for this game is 3
Overcooked is a multiplayer game in which player co-operate to prepare and serve dish to customers . It is the best cooking game which teaches us to co-operate , time management and also it is creative as we can prepare different dishes
4. MINECRAFT
Minecraft it can be played by everyone of different ages
The best lego game out there in which we experience a whole big open world where we can build different things . The best game for your kid to be creative and using his knowledge build different things . It teaches creativity and patience at it best
5. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
This game has a pegi rating of 3
Captain toad treasure tracker is a problem solving game best for kids .
It got a different no of levels from easy to hard which teaches our kid problem solving and patience . The best game to play in which you can also help and teach your kids
Thankyou and give this games a try ;)
I feel like it might only be good for cognitive development. Psychological development though it can be bad if you don’t make sure they’re also doing their school work, chores, and spending time with people. Got to make sure they know responsibility and have social skills.
Guess it would depend on the game.
Im not against gaming, because Im been a gamer all my life. It has been my go to stim for a long time.
But it has not taught me to focus harder on anything else. It had shown me however that if Im engaged in something I find fun or interesting and has a competitive element to it, then I have amazing attention and fast reaction.
But gaming can also become a dopamine trap for us… simply being pleasureable because it releases dopamine. Not unlike masturbation….
It really depends on what you mean by help or hinder. I'm 15 years old so I don't know if I apply in the "children" part but I think I can answer. I play many video games whether it be FPS, strategy, survival, MMORPG and many others and I can say it does help me focus on pretty easily. Games also help me multitask in various ways and improve my quick thinking skills. So yeah I guess you could say they help. Do they hinder me at all? Yeah probably. Games are pretty much constantly on my mind since I'm such an avid gamer. So when I'm in school and I'm trying to do my work and maybe video games c
It really depends on what you mean by help or hinder. I'm 15 years old so I don't know if I apply in the "children" part but I think I can answer. I play many video games whether it be FPS, strategy, survival, MMORPG and many others and I can say it does help me focus on pretty easily. Games also help me multitask in various ways and improve my quick thinking skills. So yeah I guess you could say they help. Do they hinder me at all? Yeah probably. Games are pretty much constantly on my mind since I'm such an avid gamer. So when I'm in school and I'm trying to do my work and maybe video games come onto my mind I can't focus very well. But they do help me move my way into conversations about video games and (being an anti-social 15 y/o) that says a lot. So yeah they help but they also do hinder. I would very much like to see other answers to this question :)
I play video games some of the time myself, but there’s really no substitute for a quality education by other means. Make sure your child has the tools to do well in school and in the rest of their life before starting worrying too much about video games. There’s also no substitute for quality reading material, although some games have some of that built in, especially interactive fiction.
That said, some suggestions:
- Portal and Portal 2 - spatial reasoning and problem solving.
- Kerbal Space Program - orbital mechanics, budgeting (probably), engineering.
I’d also suggest maybe looking into tabletop
I play video games some of the time myself, but there’s really no substitute for a quality education by other means. Make sure your child has the tools to do well in school and in the rest of their life before starting worrying too much about video games. There’s also no substitute for quality reading material, although some games have some of that built in, especially interactive fiction.
That said, some suggestions:
- Portal and Portal 2 - spatial reasoning and problem solving.
- Kerbal Space Program - orbital mechanics, budgeting (probably), engineering.
I’d also suggest maybe looking into tabletop role-playing games, which - when run correctly - arguably teach social skills, mathematics, problem-solving, and lots of other valuable skills.
The relationship between screen time and ADHD or other learning needs in children is complex and still being studied. While excessive screen time may contribute to attention and behavioral issues, it's not the sole cause of ADHD or learning needs. Other factors like genetics, environment, and early childhood experiences also play significant roles. However, moderation and balance in screen time, along with promoting diverse activities, can be beneficial for children's overall development.