One might wonder why a waldorf inspired homeschool family would support video games, or for that matter be a military family, the latter I have spoken of before and will again, but for now let me explain former.
My husband and I are Geeks. Is it that simple? Course not. We would not expose our children to something with such an impact without believing it was a good idea and researching it first. While there has been a lot of news coverage and with good reason about the issues with gaming violance, there are also studies showing video games can help in education and some skill ares. The UK has/is conducting a study on using popular video games to complete the educational requirements. Some things have been noted about that are of interest.
– Of course developing hand-eye coorination
– strategic skills
– development of team, social, communication and resourse sharing in multi-player games.
– stimulating curiosity and encouraging experimention in a safe virtual environment.
– experience with ever changing technology and manipulating software.
(source to back up opinion: http://tecnologiaedu.us.es/nweb/htm/pdf/301.pdf)
So while Waldorf stressed the importance of living education, he did not live in an age with video games and if he had would he see the spirit of them as well? Would he see the logic in preparing our children for a world of technology?
Would he see like I do the need to balance the safe virtual environment with natural consequences of actions so as to not desensitize children? Would he see that like books, not all games are alike and some might be great help and others harm? He might not have and I might have disagreed with him. I think there is an important balance and we are striving to find it.
My husband and I are both Geeks. We are gamers. We are happy, have many good relationships, are not violent, are not disconnected, and aim to better our family and our world. I am liberal tree huger, so while you might see me gaming on “Gnome Town” on facebook, you will not catch me in a game with human on human violence, anything close to reality violence.
Our current favorites are:
Wii Mario Party
Wii Sing it
Wii Mario Cart
Wii Sports
Wii Super Mario
DSi: Scribblenaughts
Happy Gaming!
