Computer games - opinions?

[Pickle]

This afternoon, in search of something to entertain my nearly 4 year old, we stumbled our way onto the CeeBeeBees website games section. Two hours later we emerged, having filled in a record amount of time with not a single winge, moan, or TV request. Brilliant.

Obviously our first foray into such a world was longer than we would generally spend on something like that, but what's everyone's opinions on these things? He amazed me with the speed at which he picked up each game, working the mouse etc., which are good skills to learn (he's never used our laptop before). The games he seemed to enjoy most were Numberjacks, which was educational, a Mr Tumble maze game, and the Come Outside game.

In my mind I'm trying to convince myself that 2 hours spent playing "educational" games on the computer is much better than 2 hours watching TV?! While he could do some himself, some required help from me, but all required him to think/interact more than he would sitting on the sofa watching Lazy Town.

We were outside all morning (just in case you start to think that all we do is sit inside!), it was an ideal way to fill in a lazy afternoon inside.

Would be interested to know if anyone else has tried these games and what you think. I don't think computers were even invented when I was 4, so this isn't something I can ask my Mum about!

[nunheadmum]

For that occasional lazy afternoon inside, I think the Cbeebies website and games are great. The games are all educational (way beyond the stuff I'd think of doing myself usually) and teach them computer skills which they will need much younger than we ever did.

I've resigned myself to the fact that my kids will be more into computers and games that I'd like them to be, probably whatever I do. To that end I try not to avoid the games totally but rather use them within a range of activities - like you, for those quiet afternoons. Our nursery does it too - when the younger kids sleep, the older ones are allowed sometimes to do educational games on the computer. (Not every day though, so it's not an incentive not to sleep.)

I've noticed too that Leapfrog are doing a hand-held game option which of course they show with all these educational games (not sure what the full range is). I'm toying with the idea of one for Christmas. Part of me screams, nooooo...it's the first step to the Nintendo DS or whatever. But my eldest (4) is sooooo into her letters and numbers etc and I don't really have as much time as I'd like to spend with her - it sounds tempting to let her have her own way to engage with learning that she can control herself. But I'm totally torn on this too.

[Pickle]

I was thinking this afternoon that games would be ideal for our long plane journeys (next one is in just under 4 weeks time), so might look into a Leapfrog handheld as an early Xmas present. He is also very into numbers/letters, so in that respect I think the games are great.

I guess like everything it's a matter of getting the right balance.

[Fuschia]

Little T has been an expert at cbeebies games since before he was two and can turn on the PC, log into the twins account and choose the game he wants!

I don't see any harm to it, as part of a range of activities.

[The Nappy Lady]

O loves CBeebies website too Pickle, but I only let her on as a treat or to support stuff I know she is doing at school (we found a quiz on 2D & 3D shapes yesterday which was part of her homework - perfect.

We also have a DS which she plays on train/airplane etc. I think it is good, encourages reading in order to get the most out of the games, and they use PCs at school now too so need to learn mouse control etc.

All things in moderation, like most parenting. You're still ahead of me' due to the recent crafty salad manoeuvre!

[Dodo1]

I would keep a close eye. My 4 yr old likes to type in his name which is fine as he keeps on printing places in Google Maps.

Obviously he has got bored with this as on his latest search he somehow managed to find a pole dancing club in Australia with his name.!

Suffice to say i quickly pulled him away from the pc (screaming) as he couldn't understand why I didn't let him click on the link!!